By: Gabriel Smith, Legislative Affairs Manager

August 3, 2026

August Advocacy begins this week as Congress enters a critical late-summer stretch for affordable housing and community development. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is now law, but FY 2027 HUD funding decisions remain unresolved, and lawmakers are working through short-term funding legislation ahead of the Sept. 30 fiscal year deadline.

For NAHRO members, this is the right moment to connect federal funding decisions to local impact. Week 1 of August Advocacy focuses on vouchers, including the need to protect and strengthen Housing Choice Voucher funding and preserve assistance for vulnerable households.

At a Glance

• August Advocacy begins this week, with Week 1 focused on preserving and protecting vouchers.
• The House is in its August district work period, while the Senate remains in session this week before beginning its August state work period.
• FY 2027 HUD funding remains unsettled. The House has advanced its THUD bill, but the Senate has not yet released its FY 2027 THUD bill.
• Short-term funding discussions advanced over the weekend, with Senate leaders releasing a separate continuing resolution that would generally fund agencies through Dec. 11.

Congressional Calendar

The House is out of session and in its August district work period. The Senate remains in session this week and is scheduled to begin its August state work period on Aug. 10.

For advocacy purposes, House members and district staff may be available locally for meetings, tours, and community events. Senate offices are still focused on Washington activity this week, but senators and staff will soon be back in their states.

NAHRO members should use this split calendar strategically: engage House offices locally now, continue pressing Senate offices on FY 2027 HUD funding, and begin scheduling August site visits, meetings, and advocacy engagements before congressional calendars fill up.

FY 2027 THUD Appropriations

The House FY 2027 THUD bill includes a total allocation of $92.224 billion, which is $10.659 billion, or 10.4 percent, below FY 2026 enacted.

Key NAHRO concerns include:

• Housing Choice Voucher HAP renewals: $35.453 billion, $496 million above FY 2026 enacted. However, NAHRO estimates this increase would not cover rising HAP contract costs.
• HCV administrative fees: $2.3 billion, $536 million below FY 2026 enacted.
• Public Housing Operating Fund: $4.687 billion, level with FY 2026 enacted.
• Public Housing Capital Fund: $2.286 billion, $914 million below FY 2026 enacted.
• CDBG: $3.3 billion, level with FY 2026 enacted.
• HOME: $500 million, $750 million below FY 2026 enacted.

The House bill also includes policy language NAHRO is watching closely, including a proposed 3 percent cap on PBRA Operating Cost Adjustment Factors and Build America, Buy America language that would exempt FY 2027 and prior-year funding for HOME, CDBG, Public Housing Operating and Capital Funds, SHOP, and Native American Programs from BABA requirements.

Continuing Resolution (CR)Watch

Government funding strategy became more active over the weekend as the Sept. 30 fiscal year deadline approaches. The House has passed H.R. 9770, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027, which would extend government funding through Dec. 4. Over the weekend, Senate leaders released a separate short-term funding bill that would generally keep federal agencies funded through Dec. 11.

For NAHRO members, the key point is that a continuing resolution may avoid a shutdown, but it can also delay final HUD funding decisions and create planning uncertainty for PHAs and community development agencies. Even if agencies remain funded temporarily, final decisions on voucher renewals, administrative fees, public housing, HOME, CDBG, and other HUD programs would remain unresolved until Congress completes full-year appropriations.

August Advocacy: Week 1 Focus on Vouchers

This week’s August Advocacy focus is vouchers. Housing Choice Vouchers help families afford safe housing, support landlord partnerships, and give PHAs a critical tool to respond to local housing needs.

Members should use this week to explain:

• How voucher funding affects lease-up and utilization;
• Why HCV administrative fees matter for inspections, leasing, landlord engagement, recertifications, and resident communication;
• How rising HAP costs affect local program stability;
• Why Emergency Housing Voucher households need continued attention as funding pressures continue; and
• How vouchers help residents access housing stability, opportunity, and community supports.

NAHRO members can take action by:

• Sending a Letter Through the NAHRO Action Alert letter
• Recording a short advocacy video
• Requesting a meeting with congressional staff
• Inviting lawmakers to tour properties

What NAHRO Members Can Do

This is the moment to move from awareness to action. NAHRO members should:

• Contact House and Senate offices about strong FY 2027 HUD funding.
• Use August Advocacy tools to highlight vouchers and local program needs.
• Invite House district staff to visit properties while representatives are back home.
• Continue pressing Senate offices before senators leave for the August state work period.
• Share specific examples of how HUD funding affects residents, landlords, waitlists, property conditions, and local development pipelines.
• Submit Advocacy Engagements with Photos and Videos so we can highlight our national network’s participation all month long!

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