Renee M. Willis

Stay Informed. Stay Engaged. Follow @nlihc.bsky.social, its team and partners in the fight for #HousingJustice.

Now Available! Out of Reach: The High Cost of Housing. #OOR26 shows just how hard it is for low-income people to afford a decent home. How much do you need to earn to afford a rental home in your state? Find out more: nlihc.org/oor

We’re still celebrating! The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is now law—a significant and hard-fought step forward in addressing our nation’s housing crisis. To understand what the new law means for low-income households, check out our new resource and analysis below. nlihc.org/resource/21s...

Tonight, we celebrate progress made possible by years of persistence, partnership, and unwavering belief in what is possible: the ROAD to Housing Act is now law. The work continues—but tonight, we celebrate.

Pride Month is a good time to remember that housing is a basic human need. Everyone deserves equal access to housing, which is about fairness and justice. This belief holds true no matter who someone is, who they love, or how they identify. Please read: nlihc.org/resource/pri...

Carol Denise McNair was only 11 when she was killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. Listening to Rev. William Barber II speak, I couldn’t stop thinking about her—about innocence, about stolen futures, about the work still in front of us.

Came across a first edition of “It Can’t Happen Here” at Yale’s Beinecke Library. Written in 1935—and still feels uncomfortably close. Some stories don’t age. They warn.

What I’m taking with me from the panel with @esglaude.bsky.social & @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social: This moment is both deeply familiar—and entirely new. It demands clarity, creativity, and collective imagination. And the courage to lead. Convened by Rev. William Barber & @theologypolicy.bsky.social

I’m honored and deeply grateful to step into the role of president and CEO of the @nlihc.org. Thank you to the NLIHC Board of Directors for your trust, and to our dedicated staff, valued partners, and steadfast supporters—I’m inspired by all of you as we move into this next chapter together.

Well said, Kim Johnson @nlihc.org: "The end of the program represents 'an awful cycle': Our assistance ran out because rent is too expensive, so...figure out how to pay for your expensive rent on your own even though you couldn’t afford it.” @washingtonpost.com www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...

Only 2 days until #Forum25. On Wednesday, March 26, NLIHC will be celebrating its 2025 Housing Leadership Awards honorees. Learn more about them here: nlihc.org/2025-housi...

Find more information about the #CongressionalPublicHousingCaucus here: cleaver.house.gov/media-center...

As President Trump and Republicans work to slash federal investments in affordable housing, I launched the #CongressionalPublicHousingCaucus with @repgregorymeeks.bsky.social , @lynch.house.gov and @repritchie.bsky.social to #ProtectPublicHousing!

Read NLIHC Statement on Trump Administration's Directive to Terminate Half of All HUD Staff - bit.ly/42RCMDp

REP. @maxwellfrost.bsky.social says billionaires like Elon Musk want Americans to blame immigrants and trans people etc. for their economic struggles when their insatiable greed is behind the Gilded Age levels of inequality 🎯 🇺🇸 💰

Metropolitan AME Church just secured the trademark rights to the Proud Boys name—and that’s what we call a power move! Turning hate into justice, one legal victory at a time. #BossMove #JusticePrevails #AME

“Mr. Trump is indeed testing Washington and the American people to see how far he can go in accumulating authority and in marginalizing anyone in a position to question his actions. It is a test the Constitution cannot afford to lose.”

I am completely enraged by the blatant destruction of our democracy! No way should Musk and DOGE reps-who haven’t sworn an oath to uphold our Constitution, don’t have security clearance, & haven’t been vetted-have access to Treasury sensitive payments system & info!! www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/u...

1/ This #BlackHistoryMonth, we recognize how systemic inequities have driven racial disparities in homelessness. Our Toward Equity report highlights the urgent need to address these disparities through evidence-based policies. 🧵⬇️ 🔗 https://buff.ly/3W1IL4i

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” - Dr. Martin Luther King

This stunning portrait of trailblazing civil rights legal visionary Pauli Murray, now hangs in the Pauli Murray Suite at Howard Law School. The portrait was donated by alumni.

NLIHC celebrates Black advocates and leaders - past, present, and future - in the resilient work to achieve housing justice for all.

Great news for American families! Trump's actions on federal funding are a violation of the separation of powers. A temporary restraining order says he can't "pause, freeze, impede, block, cancel, or terminate …federal financial assistance to the States." portal.ct.gov/ag/press-rel...

I went to post about the National Japanese American Memorial in D.C., which is beautiful but usually missed by tourists. It is a deeply staggering admission of guilt and a warning to future Americans. I went to link to the inscriptions and- Well, they took the site down. www.nps.gov/places/japan...

Congratulations to Dara Baldwin on an outstanding interview w/ @rolandsmartin.bsky.social , powerfully calling out the President’s racist and ableist remarks. Your voice is essential in the fight for justice and inclusion. #DisabilityRights #EquityForAll & #DCstatehood

Celebrating the win! A Brooklyn appellate court has upheld New York’s law against voter dilution, suppression, intimidation, and obstruction, ensuring every New Yorker’s voice is heard. 

Make no mistake, the federal funding ‘temporary pause’ debacle was a trial balloon. Trump is testing the limits of what he can get away with and identifying where he needs to apply more pressure to break the remaining safeguards in our democratic institutions. Thankfully, we still have some.

This unilateral decision will have dire consequences for the more then 10 million people (across all communities) who rely on housing support. bit.ly/3CEpqiWh

An unprecedented and unilateral action to DEPRIVE Communities of critically needed housing and homelessness investments.

🥹

📘 Just finished reading, "How We Learn to Be Brave," by #BishopMariannBudde. Leaders must have a spirit of adventure: they weren’t made to cower in fear. "The safest place for ships is in the harbor, but that’s not why ships were built." Quotation's author unknown. #Brave #Courageous #Leadership

Black history holds countless untold stories that deserve to be heard and shared. Let’s uplift these voices, honor their legacies, and continue to learn from the richness of their experiences. #BlackHistoryMatters #BlackHistoryMonth #UntoldStories

Starting on Day One of his administration, President Trump has undertaken a series of executive actions which, if implemented, would make it harder for our nation to ensure that everyone has access to an affordable, accessible place to call home. #ExecutiveOrders

"We cannot do this important work without you. It will take all of us...Become part of the national movement for housing justice & help us drive forward the long-term solutions we need to end America’s housing & homelessness crisis once & for all." 🌸

To fully address America’s affordable housing & homelessness crisis, which disproportionately impacts Black, brown, & the most marginalized communities, Congress must invest at the scale needed to ensure that renters with the lowest incomes have an affordable place to call home.

Scott Turner, a former pro football player and official during the first Trump administration, will make his case to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development in a confirmation hearing on Thursday.

"This is murder on a grand scale. The amount of cancer rates in my community are disgusting!" Coal in your stocking? Try coal in your lungs & covering your house—for generations. New doc report by me @therealnews.com from the "sacrifice zone" that is South Baltimore therealnews.com/csx-coal-ter...

Increased homelessness is the tragic, yet predictable, consequence of underinvesting in the resources and protections that help people find and maintain safe, affordable housing.

New report from NLIHC & PAHRC shows: —While 104k new fed-subsidized units were added in recent years, 71k units were lost —39% of funded LIHTC units were preserved, not new construction —Big reduction in federal housing funding in recent years

New disaster toolkit made by organizers for organizers (!!!) from the NLIHC, specifically from Noah Patton. Looks amazing! nlihc.org/resource/now...

“Why would there be a destination when life itself is a journey? You go not to get there but to be there.” — Nikki Giovanni RIP #NikkiGiovanni

Our 2024 Election webinar happens next week! Join @mkushel.bsky.social, Marc Dones, Chione Flegal, and @annymoliva.bsky.social for an expert-led discussion on potential policy impacts, service delivery challenges, and strategies. 📅 Dec. 11 | 🕛 12-1PM PST 🔗 Don't miss it: https://buff.ly/4fKizCG

Thanks @dianeyentel.bsky.social for your leadership at NLIHC. It has been an honor to work beside you for the last nine years.