Use NLIHC’s August Recess Toolkit to Advocate for Affordable Housing and Homelessness Investments Communities Rely On
Aug 17, 2026
By Kim Johnson, NLIHC Senior Director of Polic
Both the House and Senate are in recess for the next two weeks, with the House scheduled to return to D.C. on August 31 and the Senate returning on September 14. During August Recess, federal lawmakers spend time in their home states and districts to hear from constituents about the issues impacting them, making August Recess a great time to advocate for federal investments in affordable housing and homelessness resources!
NLIHC’s 2026 August Recess Advocacy Toolkit includes information, tips, and resources to help advocates engage their federal elected officials during August Recess and push for increased funding and safeguards for the programs people rely on to afford the cost of rent and that communities rely on to build, maintain, and operate safe, affordable, accessible homes, including:
- How to schedule an in-district meeting with a member of Congress or invite an elected official to tour a housing development in your community.
- NLIHC’s policy priorities for the remainder of the current Congress.
- Links to resources for more information and to help understand what the affordable housing crisis looks like in your community.
Activities like scheduling in-district meetings with members of Congress or inviting an elected official to tour a housing development in your community help build relationships, educate members of Congress and their staff about the housing needs in your community, and show first-hand the positive impact of federal affordable housing and homelessness investments.
Use NLIHC’s August Recess Toolkit to Tell Congress to Expand – Not Cut – Federal Investments in Affordable Housing and Homelessness Assistance Programs!
At a time when a record number of renters are housing cost-burdened and families around the country are struggling to afford necessities like housing, food, and medical care, Congress should be working to expand—not cut—funding for programs that help people make ends meet.
Advocates can take action today by:
Using NLIHC’s updated August Recess Advocacy Toolkit to learn how to schedule an in-district meeting, plan a site visit, and engage with your members of Congress while they’re in their home states and districts for August Recess!
Emailing or calling members’ offices to tell them about the importance of affordable housing, homelessness, and community development resources to you, your family, your community, or your work. You can use NLIHC’s Take Action page to look up your member offices or call/send an email directly!
Sharing stories of those directly impacted by homelessness and housing instability. Storytelling adds emotional weight to your message and can help lawmakers see how their policy decisions impact actual people. Learn about how to tell compelling stories with this resource.
Organizations can also join the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding (CHCDF)’s sign on letter calling for the highest possible funding for HUD and USDA affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs in any final fiscal year (FY) 27 spending bills. Read the letter and sign your organization on here.
Visit NLIHC’s Advocacy Hub for more information and resources that can help you take action and help protect the affordable housing programs people rely on.