National Low Income Housing Coalition

What National Low Income Housing Coalition does

National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit policy advocacy organization founded in 1974. Its mission is to achieve socially just public policy ensuring that people with the lowest incomes in the United States have access to quality, affordable homes. The organization does not sell a commercial product; its core outputs are research publications (the annual Out of Reach and The Gap reports, the Advocates' Guide, Tenant Talk, the Memo to Members & Partners newsletter, and the newly launched National Renter Survey), federal policy advocacy campaigns (HoUSed, Our Homes Our Votes, Opportunity Starts at Home), and coalition coordination across 50 states, DC, tribal communities, and — as of 2025 — Puerto Rico.

NLIHC's technology stack is best described as content and advocacy infrastructure rather than software: the Housing Needs by State data tool, the reports.nlihc.org publication platform, email newsletters, social media channels, and twice-monthly HoUSed national calls. Its revenue model is non-commercial, consisting of membership dues across individual and organizational tiers (annual billing cadence, pricing not publicly disclosed) and individual/organizational donations. A Development Coordinator (Benja Reilly) and Manager of Member Engagement (Lindsay Duvall) handle these functions. NLIHC also likely receives foundation and government grant support, though this is not itemized in the source data.

NLIHC serves two primary constituencies. First, extremely low-income renters — the persona-level beneficiaries of the policy changes NLIHC advocates for, served indirectly through federal programs like the Continuum of Care (over 750,000 people annually) and the National Housing Trust Fund. Second, a network of state, local, and tribal housing advocacy organizations that consume NLIHC's research, participate in coalitions (550+ organizations on the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act), and rely on NLIHC for federal-level representation. The organization's 2025 CEO transition from Diane Yentel to Renee M. Willis, combined with sustained publication output and federal litigation activity through 2025–2026, indicates operational continuity under new leadership during a politically contentious housing policy environment.

Name

National Low Income Housing Coalition

Legal name

National Low Income Housing Coalition

Website

https://nlihc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit founded in 1974 that researches affordable housing needs and advocates for federal policy to expand housing access for extremely low-income renters across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Policy Advocacy

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Rental & Multifamily Housing Finance Programs (LIHTC/Tax Credits/Subsidized Loans) (FSALAKAF)

Keywords

• Affordable housing policy
• Housing advocacy
• Low-income renters
• Rental affordability research
• Housing coalition

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: NLIHC operates a membership program with different tiers for individuals, organizations, and special members, providing access to publications, advocacy resources, and network participation.
2. Donations and Contributions: The organization accepts donations from individuals and organizations to support their advocacy work for affordable housing policy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

NLIHC is a non-profit advocacy coalition that produces research-based publications (Out of Reach, The Gap, National Renter Survey, Advocates' Guide) and runs national advocacy campaigns (HoUSed, Our Homes Our Votes, Opportunity Starts at Home) to advance federal, state, and local policies that ensure people with the lowest incomes have access to affordable, quality rental homes.

Product overview

NLIHC operates as a policy advocacy organization offering a portfolio of research publications and advocacy campaigns rather than a unified technology product. The core offerings include annual research reports (Out of Reach, The Gap, National Renter Survey), reference publications (Advocates' Guide, Tenant Talk), and newsletters (Memo to Members & Partners, The Connection). These publications are complemented by advocacy campaigns including HoUSed, Our Homes, Our Votes, and Opportunity Starts at Home, as well as specialized programs like Disaster Housing Recovery and the Housing Needs by State data tool. The organization functions as a coalition focused on policy education and advocacy rather than commercial product delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Out of Reach Annual research report documenting the gap between wages and the cost of rental housing across the United States, providing state-by-state Housing Wage and Two-Bedroom Rental Wage data for policymakers, advocates, and the public.
• The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes Annual research report quantifying the national shortage of affordable and available rental homes for extremely low-income renters in the United States, with state-level breakdowns.
• Advocates' Guide Annual comprehensive reference guide providing housing policy, program, and advocacy strategy information for affordable housing advocates at the national, state, and local level.
• National Renter Survey Comprehensive national survey capturing the distinct housing-related experiences of renters across varying incomes, racial identities, and accessibility needs in the United States.
• HoUSed Campaign National advocacy campaign for universal, stable, and affordable housing, coordinated through bi-monthly national calls, policy updates, guest speakers, and action planning.
• Our Homes, Our Votes Nonpartisan civic engagement campaign focused on engaging low-income renters and tenant organizations in the voter and election process to advance housing policy.
• Opportunity Starts at Home Multi-sector affordable homes campaign bringing together housing, health, education, and other advocates to advance federal housing policies through the 'Within Reach' policy agenda.
• Disaster Housing Recovery Program Program focused on ensuring fair and equitable federal disaster recovery efforts, providing advocacy resources, research, and policy guidance for disaster-affected communities.
• Housing Needs by State Interactive data resource providing state-level information on affordable housing needs across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.
• NLIHC Membership Program Tiered membership program for individuals and organizations that provides access to NLIHC publications, advocacy resources, the Memo to Members & Partners newsletter, and participation in the national advocacy coalition.
• IDEAS Initiative Initiative advancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access in federal, state, and local housing policy across NLIHC's research and advocacy work.

Quantifiable outcome

• National shortage of 7.2 million homes affordable and available for extremely low-income renters (The Gap 2026)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Shared Ground CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2026NLIHC joined with leaders from the affordable housing and public lands communities to unveil a joint principles framework called 'Shared Ground.' The coalition, endorsed by 60+ organizations, rejects selling off public lands as a solution to housing affordability and promotes balanced policies that protect public lands while advancing affordable housing.
• National Alliance to End HomelessnesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Co-plaintiff in lawsuit against Trump-Vance administration to stop unlawful restrictions on homelessness funding. Coalition includes NAEH, Crossroads Rhode Island, Youth Pride Inc., and local governments (Santa Clara, San Francisco, King County, Boston, Cambridge, Nashville, Tucson).
• Democracy ForwardcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 December 2025Legal counsel and advocacy organization representing the coalition challenging Trump-Vance administration housing policies in court.
• National Coalition for the HomelesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Shared Ground coalition advocating for both affordable housing expansion and public lands protection.
• The Wilderness SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Shared Ground coalition working to protect public lands while addressing housing affordability.
• National Housing Law ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Shared Ground coalition advocating for affordable housing and public lands policies.
• Sierra ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Shared Ground coalition promoting common-sense policies for affordable housing while preserving public lands.
• State and Local Housing OrganizationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of state and local partner organizations working on housing advocacy and tenant protections. NLIHC supports these organizations through research, resources, and coalition coordination.
• State and Tribal PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNLIHC's State & Tribal Partners Project supports and coordinates with housing organizations across all 50 states and tribal communities.
• Opportunity Starts at HomecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-sector affordable homes campaign that brings together housing, health, education, and other advocates to advance better federal housing policies through the 'Within Reach' policy agenda.
• Campaign for Housing and Community Development FundingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition focused on achieving the highest possible appropriations for HUD and USDA housing programs through budget advocacy.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• National Council of Nonprofits: Network of state and regional nonprofit associations advocating for the nonprofit sector. Comparable as a coalition/membership-based advocacy organization serving the same broad operating environment, but with a cross-sector rather than housing-specific mission.

Emerging players

• Bipartisan Policy Center: Think tank producing cross-ideational policy recommendations including on housing supply and affordability. Comparable as a policy organization that publishes housing research and engages federal policymakers, but with a broader issue portfolio than NLIHC.

Direct peers

• Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: National policy research and advocacy organization with a major focus on federal housing programs, hunger, and tax policy. Comparable as a research-driven policy advocacy organization that influences federal housing appropriations and program design.
• National Alliance to End Homelessness: National nonprofit advocacy organization focused on preventing and ending homelessness. It is a direct co-plaintiff partner of NLIHC in litigation against HUD CoC funding restrictions and operates an overlapping federal policy and research agenda.
• National Council of State Housing Agencies: Membership association of state Housing Finance Agencies that administer LIHTC and other federal affordable housing programs. Comparable in that it advocates for federal housing program funding and policy, and NLIHC's research is highly relevant to its members.
• National Housing Law Project: National housing advocacy and legal support organization serving extremely low-income tenants. It is a Shared Ground coalition partner with NLIHC and shares the same federal policy advocacy and litigation focus on housing programs.
• Poverty & Race Research Action Council: National civil rights research and policy organization focused on the intersection of housing, race, and poverty. Directly comparable as a research and advocacy organization addressing fair housing and equitable policy for low-income renters.

Broad incumbents

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): Major community development financial institution supporting affordable housing and economic development. Comparable as a national nonprofit working on affordable housing policy and on-the-ground program delivery, though LISC's model is more place-based and capital-oriented.
• Enterprise Community Partners: Large national affordable housing nonprofit that combines advocacy, development, lending, and capacity building. Comparable to NLIHC in mission but operates a much broader portfolio including direct real estate development alongside policy work.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Large international nonprofit focused on affordable homeownership and housing for low-income families. Comparable in mission scope (low-income housing) and advocacy footprint, but delivers impact primarily through direct construction rather than policy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NLIHC
• Facebookfacebook.com/NLIHCDC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-low-income-housing-coalition
• Instagraminstagram.com/nlihc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Low Income Housing Coalition