Getting Through

“The two words ‘information’ and ‘communication’ are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through.”
— Sydney J. Harris

Happy April, NAHRO family.

As housers, we deal with a lot of information — payroll and maintenance costs, rental income and grants, occupancy statistics, inspection data, lease-up rates and more. This information is important: it proves that we’re responsible stewards of taxpayer funds, that we fulfill our missions to provide affordable housing in sustainable communities, and that our agencies are productive businesses that help drive our local economies.  This information does more than fulfill our annual reporting requirements to HUD, it tells our story. When paired with the real-life experiences of the individuals and families we serve, the data becomes something far more powerful. It paints a clear picture of our impact, helping our communities truly understand who we are, what we do, and why it matters.

NAHRO also provides us with a wealth of state and national information: federal budget recommendations, policy priorities and the upcoming Secure Homes, Strong Communities annual report that serves as an overview of federal rental assistance and community development programs. This information is the foundation of our national story as an industry: that we provide homes and opportunities to millions of families and children nationwide, despite decreasing federal investment, and that we could do so much more with the appropriate resources.

Having all this information and making it available is only the first step. We also need to make sure that people not only receive the information, but fully understand how your work helps them. To our residents, we are landlords and partners; to our staff, employers; to our local business folks, customers and colleagues. To our elected officials, we should be known both as providers of housing for their constituents and as economic engines who bring jobs and resources to their communities.

So how do we move from “giving out” to “getting through”? The answer depends on our audience. The detailed spreadsheets and reports that get through to our HUD field office aren’t going to be as effective to a member of Congress or a local reporter. This is where the power of individual stories comes in. Partner testimonials and informational resources might convince skeptical landlords to join your HCV program. Stories about your successful FSS and ROSS program graduates coupled with local employment data can help a reporter understand how your agency helps residents achieve self-sufficiency. State-level housing data combined with stories of thriving seniors, children succeeding in school, stable working families and veterans receiving the housing and supportive services they need, and calculations of your agency’s economic impact may show your Senators and Representatives the full range of how you improve the lives of their constituents (including you!).

The combination of hard data with individual stories is powerful, providing proof and emotional impact at the same time. And we’ll need this power to push back against the President’s FY 2027 proposed budget, which underfunds rental programs and makes devastating cuts to community development programs. So get your data together, gather your stories, and get ready to get through to your elected officials in Washington, D.C. As always, NAHRO is here to help.

Building Communities Together

One of my favorite things about NAHRO is other NAHRO members. Having a nationwide network of housers to learn with and from has helped me grow both personally and professionally. I’d like to thank my gracious hosts from the Alabama Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities, the North Carolina Housing Authority Directors’ Association, Texas NAHRO and SERC NAHRO for sharing your warmth and stories with me. I hope to see even more of you at NAHRO’s Summer Symposium in July – we’ll be in the great city of Nashville in my home state of Tennessee, and I’m excited to host you there!