PHADA President John T. Mahon.
Every day, housing authorities help seniors remain independent, support veterans transitioning to stable housing, assist working families facing rising housing costs, and provide children with a safe place to grow and succeed. While much of PHADA’s advocacy focuses on funding formulas, regulations, and legislation, the purpose behind those conversations is much simpler: ensuring that housing authorities (HAs) have the tools and resources necessary to serve residents and strengthen communities.
At PHADA, advocacy is not confined to a single congressional meeting or a few days in Washington, DC. It is an ongoing effort to ensure policymakers understand both the value of federal housing programs and the challenges housing authorities face in delivering them. That work happens year-round through our engagement with Congress, HUD, coalition partners, and, most importantly, our members across the country. That mission is reflected in several of the issues highlighted in this edition, all of which underscore why housing authorities need a strong voice in Washington.
Several articles in this edition examine federal funding challenges facing housing authorities. The article on page 1 explores a proposed voucher funding anomaly that could have significant implications for many agencies, while page 3 examines ongoing Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) funding concerns. Although the issues differ, both reinforce the same reality: funding decisions made in Washington have direct consequences for local agencies and the families they serve.
To support members as these conversations continue, PHADA has developed new advocacy resources, including the Admin Fee Issue Brief on page 11. Administrative fees are often discussed as a technical funding matter, but they directly affect staffing capacity, program administration, landlord engagement, compliance requirements, and the overall ability of agencies to serve families effectively. The Issue Brief provides members with data, messaging, and practical information they can use when engaging elected officials and stakeholders.
Building on these efforts, PHADA recently hosted Advocacy in Action, a webinar featuring HA leaders who shared how sustained engagement with congressional offices has led to real results. The discussion highlighted two important lessons: advocacy is built through ongoing relationships, not one-time meetings, and policymakers remember people more than program acronyms. The most effective advocates connect policy decisions to real resident experiences, whether that means a senior aging in place, a veteran securing stable housing, or a working family moving closer to economic opportunity. Data matters, but stories help policymakers understand why those numbers matter.
Those lessons will be carried forward into PHADA’s Advocacy Office Hours webinar on August 25 at 12:00 pm ET (registration information on page 14). Rather than a traditional presentation, this session will provide members with an informal opportunity to ask questions, discuss congressional outreach strategies, and prepare for meetings with lawmakers and staff. Whether you are a seasoned advocate or preparing for your first congressional meeting, we hope you will join us.
PHADA’s ongoing advocacy resources are designed to help members prepare for our Legislative Forum, September 13–15 in Washington, DC. This year’s program will provide members with timely information and practical tools to navigate today’s policy environment. Attendees will hear directly from HUD officials, congressional staff, national housing leaders, and policy experts on major legislative, regulatory, funding, and advocacy issues affecting HAs across the country.
One session I am particularly looking forward to will examine how coalitions can drive policy change. Using Build America, Buy America (BABA) implementation challenges as a case study, panelists will discuss how housing authorities, national organizations, and industry partners can work together to advance shared advocacy goals. Another session will continue the conversation from our recent advocacy webinar with a discussion focused on building congressional relationships that deliver results. The session will feature HA leaders and congressional perspectives on what works, what does not, and how agencies can become trusted local resources for policymakers.
Of course, one of the most valuable components of the Legislative Forum remains the opportunity to engage directly with Congress during Hill visits. Those meetings allow agency leaders to provide real-world examples of how federal decisions affect communities, programs, properties, and residents. No report, briefing paper, or data table can fully replace the perspective of those managing these programs every day. In preparation, we encourage all members to utilize PHADA’s Congressional Advocacy Quick Guide as a resource as you plan your upcoming congressional meetings.
Whether you join us in Washington or engage through our webinars, issue briefs, and advocacy resources, I encourage you to stay involved. Effective advocacy begins with local experience and personal relationships. By sharing the stories of our communities and residents, we can help policymakers better understand the real-world impact of their decisions. I hope to see many of you in Washington this September as we continue that work together.