By Tia Turner, NLIHC Project Manager, Our Homes, Our Votes
During the 2026 NLIHC Housing Policy Forum, NLIHC’s Our Homes, Our Votes (OHOV) campaign hosted a critical panel, “What’s at Stake for Housing on the Ballot and in the Supreme Court,” bringing together national advocates, policy experts, and tenant leaders to examine the growing threats to civic participation and their direct implications for housing justice.
The session opened with remarks from Chantelle Wilkinson, NLIHC’s vice president of Strategic Partnerships and Campaigns, and was moderated by Tia Turner, project manager of the Our Homes, Our Votes campaign. Panelists included Demetria McCain (Legal Defense Fund), Kenneth Williamson (National Alliance to End Homelessness), Dr. Bambie Hayes-Brown (Georgia ACT), Stephanie Demmons (VoteRiders), and Bridget Knighton (former OHOV Tenant Fellow), each offering legal, policy, and lived-experience perspectives.
Throughout the discussion, panelists made clear that this is a defining moment for both housing and democracy. Speakers pointed to direct and emerging threats to voter access, including the Louisiana v. Callais redistricting case and the proposed “Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act,” as key examples of how legal and legislative actions are shaping who has power in our democracy. Panelists discussed how cases like Louisiana v. Callais could weaken protections against racial discrimination in redistricting, while the SAVE Act would impose documentary proof of citizenship requirements that could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters.
Panelists emphasized that these threats do not exist in isolation. Instead, they are part of a broader pattern of policies and legal challenges that disproportionately impact renters, low-income communities, people experiencing homelessness, and communities of color. From stricter voter ID laws to barriers faced by individuals without stable housing or consistent documentation, the conversation highlighted how systemic inequities are reinforced through restrictions on civic participation.
The discussion also lifted up the real consequences of civic exclusion. When people experiencing homelessness and low-income renters are unable to fully participate in elections, their needs are less likely to be reflected in policy decisions, including those related to housing resources and protections. Panelists stressed that without intentional efforts to remove these barriers, the communities most impacted by housing instability will continue to be left out of decision-making processes.
In response, speakers underscored the urgency of coordinated, cross-sector advocacy. Panelists highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships between housing and voting rights organizations, expanding nonpartisan voter education efforts, and building trust within communities that have historically been excluded from the political process. The conversation reinforced that protecting and expanding access to the ballot must be a core component of advancing housing justice, particularly as the country approaches upcoming elections.
The panel concluded with a shared call to action: to remain vigilant, organized, and committed to ensuring that all people, especially those most impacted by housing instability, have a voice in shaping the policies that affect their lives.
SAVE Act Update
The SAVE Act, federal legislation that would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, continues to raise significant concerns. While the bill has been introduced in Congress, it has not been enacted into law. The Senate brought the SAVE Act to the floor this week. Senators who oppose the bill are expected to continue fighting to hold the floor and block this harmful legislation.
If passed, it could create substantial barriers for millions of eligible voters, particularly renters, low-income households, and individuals who may not have easy access to required documentation. Advocacy efforts are ongoing to oppose the bill and prevent similar measures from advancing at the state level. In February 2026, NLIHC joined more than 130 national, state, and local organizations in a Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights sign-on letter strongly opposing the SAVE Act.
Last week, NLIHC President and CEO Renee M. Willis released a statement opposing the SAVE Act and its impact on low-income voters. Read the statement here.
NLIHC will continue to monitor developments related to the SAVE Act and other anti-voter policies and will share updates and opportunities for engagement.
To stay up to date on the SAVE Act and other voter mobilization efforts, join NLIHC’s Our Homes, Our Votes webinar series. The series offers timely updates, tools, and strategies to support renter engagement and protect access to the ballot.
Register for the webinar series here and watch previous sessions here.