Recap of April 8 National HoUSed Campaign Call for Universal, Stable, Affordable Housing

NLIHC hosted a national HoUSed campaign call on April 8, featuring an update on federal funding for homelessness assistance programs from CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness Ann Oliva, and an update on the fallout since last year’s Supreme Court ruling, Grants Pass v. Johnson, from Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) Donald Whitehead.  

During the call, Ann Oliva discussed the status of communities’ Continuum of Care (CoC) grant agreements for fiscal years (FYs) 2023 and 2024, funding provided for HUD’s homelessness response programs in FY2025, and the outlook for federal funding in FY2026. Ann also shared how the Trump administration is working to roll back evidence-based solutions to homelessness, including by replacing Housing First models, which prioritize access to housing with wrap-around services when needed for long-term housing stability, with punitive models that mandate compliance with certain policies before people experiencing homelessness can access a safe, stable home.  

Donald Whitehead flagged ongoing state and local attempts to fine, ticket, and arrest people experiencing homelessness for engaging in life-sustaining practices, including sleeping, in public spaces even when there are no adequate shelter options available. He emphasized the need for real, sustained solutions to the affordable housing and homelessness crisis, including long-term, large-scale investments in the construction and preservation of deeply affordable, accessible homes. Donald and the National Coalition for the Homeless will be hosting a Housing Now! National Day of Action on April 22, an opportunity for advocates to make their voices heard and show up in support of affordable housing and healthcare for all, and to reject attempts to criminalize the experience of homelessness and decimate HUD.  

The call also featured remarks from Meg Zaletel, executive director of the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness in Anchorage, Alaska. Meg discussed the ways in which her organizations engage with state and local officials to advocate for increased funding for affordable housing and homelessness services. NLIHC’s Policy Manager, Kim Johnson, provided a federal policy update, sharing the latest information on HUD staffing cuts and the fight ahead for sufficient funding for HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher and Emergency Housing Voucher programs.  

NLIHC’s national calls will now take place on the second and last Tuesday of every month, from 4 to 5 pm ET. Register for the series here.  

Slides from the April 8 call can be found here.  

Access NLIHC’s archive of HoUSed Campaign calls and other webinar recordings here.