Recap of NLIHC's Fall 2025 State and Tribal Partner Convening in Washington, D.C.

By Zenayah Roache, NLIHC Housing Advocacy Organizer     

NLIHC held its biannual convening of its state and Tribal partners from November 19 to 20. More than 30 people representing 27 of NLIHC’s partner organizations, along with many NLIHC staff and board members, gathered for a two-day event of networking, information sharing, highlighting state and local creative resistance, and most importantly, uplifting the dire need for more organizing in the housing justice movement amid federal happenings. The convening also featured interactive conversations about NLIHC’s 2026 federal policy priorities, a teach-in with partners on creating political will and pressure to defend democracy and advance solutions, and a training on concrete ways to build power.   

NLIHC state and Tribal partners (STP) are distinguished member organizations that NLIHC works most closely in each state or region of the country. They include housing and homelessness advocacy organizations that serve Tribal communities or states, as well as regions within states, and that are engaged in state or federal housing advocacy while also having their own networks to mobilize in pursuit of NLIHC’s policy priorities. 

At the beginning of the convening, the NLIHC Board of Directors approved the addition of NLIHC’s first Tennessee state partner: Housing for All Tennessee, a coalition of on-the-ground organizations and partners focused on affordable housing, tenants' rights, and ending homelessness in Tennessee, and who are committed to a vision of Tennessee where all people have access to safe and dignified housing. NLIHC now has 69 state partners operating in 47 states and the District of Columbia, as well as one Tribal partner operating in the Northern Plains region. 

NLIHC continues to seek new STPs. Partners receive specialized support from NLIHC to enhance their participation in federal housing advocacy. In turn, they commit to being a primary advocate for housing for the lowest-income renters in their region and to educate and mobilize their network to advocate for NLIHC’s policy priorities. STPs must be existing NLIHC members and must complete a board approval process. For more information about becoming an NLIHC state or Tribal partner, please contact [email protected].