Representative Emanuel Cleaver Joined July 22 National HoUSed Campaign Call

On July 22, NLIHC hosted a National HoUSed Campaign Call, moderated by Renee M. Willis, NLIHC president and CEO, providing an overview of NLIHC’s recently released research reports, State and Local Housing Trust Fund and Out of Reach: The High Cost of Housing. Out of Reach 2025 preface author, Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) shared remarks on the severity of the nation’s housing affordability crisis, noting the efforts of Democratic congressional representatives to fight for transformative housing solutions.  

NLIHC Manager of State and Local Innovation Tori Bourret highlighted data from the State and Local Housing Trust Fund report on the nation’s 845 state and local housing trust funds. NLIHC Research Analyst Esther Colón-Bermúdez gave an overview of key data, including the minimum full-time wage required to afford fair market rent across the country, from the Out of Reach 2025 report. 

Michael O’Neil, Executive Director of Helena Housing Authority and Board Member of the Montana Housing Coalition, discussed challenges and recent wins for affordable housing advocacy in Montana. Finally, NLIHC Senior Policy Director Kim Johnson provided updates on the recent House FY26 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development spending bill, which cuts funding for many critical federal housing programs, and opportunities for advocacy during the upcoming August recess.  

A recording of the call, as well as the presentation slides, are now available. Register here for NLIHC’s next National HoUSed Campaign Call on August 12 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET.  

Recent NLIHC Reports 

• Read NLIHC’s 2025 State and Local Housing Trust Fund Report, which summarizes findings from a national survey of state and local housing trust funds.
• Check out NLIHC’s virtual hub for best practices and key elements of housing trust funds.
• Read the full 2025 Out Of Reach report and explore housing data for your community.   

On-the-ground Advocacy in Montana 

• Learn more about the work of the Montana Housing Coalition.  

FY26 Appropriations for Federal Housing Programs 

• Read NLIHC’s Analysis of the FY26 House Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Draft Spending Bill
• Check out NLIHC’s updated FY26 Budget Chart for selected federal housing programs
• Take action to protect funding for Emergency Housing Vouchers and other programs that help people afford housing. 

NLIHC’s national calls take place on the second and last Tuesday of every month, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET. Register for the series here.