NLIHC members and partners are encouraged to submit nominations (or self-nominate!) to fill upcoming vacancies on the NLIHC Board of Directors. Nominees for board membership must be current dues-paying NLIHC members or be employed by a current dues-paying NLIHC member organization. Please send nominations – and in the case of self-nomination, a brief biographical description or resume and a statement of interest – to NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel at [email protected] by close of business on December 31.
NLIHC’s board consists of six impacted persons (defined as individuals with lived experience of homelessness and/or housing instability), six representatives of allied national organizations, six representatives of NLIHC state partners, and up to seven unrestricted or at-large NLIHC members. NLIHC is seeking nominations for the following positions: one representative from a national NLIHC member organization, and three at-large NLIHC member representatives. The new board members will assume their duties in March 2024.
At least 90% of NLIHC board members must be people with low incomes or individuals who are or have been engaged directly in working on meeting the housing needs of low-income people. In selecting board members, NLIHC strives to achieve a broad diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, and geography, including representation from both urban and rural communities. We seek to have as many different states represented as possible.
Board members are elected for three-year terms and can serve up to three terms. The board meets in person twice a year in Washington, D.C. – once in conjunction with our annual forum in the spring and once in the fall. The board also meets by conference call in the summer. Attendance at board meetings is required, with exceptions for illness or emergencies. Generally, new board members are elected by existing board members at the annual board meeting held in the spring. All board members serve on at least one standing committee of the board and all board members are members of the NLIHC Policy Advisory Committee. Committees meet by conference call. All new board members must attend an in-person orientation in Washington D.C. soon after their election.
NLIHC subsidizes travel and lodging expenses of low-income board members to attend board meetings. All others are expected to cover their own travel and lodging expenses, unless doing so would prevent an otherwise qualified person from serving on the board. In addition to paying NLIHC membership dues, all board members are asked to make financial contributions to NLIHC at the level they are able. We strive for 100% board giving.
The best way to be considered for board membership is to get involved in the activities of NLIHC, particularly by serving on the Policy Advisory Committee and attending NLIHC’s annual Housing Policy Forum in the spring. The NLIHC Nominating Committee will review the level of a potential board member’s involvement in his or her own community or state/national housing advocacy activities and accountability to a constituent base.
To make a nomination or self-nominate, send the required materials (statement of interest and bio or resume) to Diane Yentel at [email protected] by December 31.