Lead with Confidence. Influence with Purpose. Apply to LEI.

Following a successful inaugural year, NALHFA is excited to launch the second year of the Leadership Excellence Institute (LEI) with the 2026/2027 cohort. Our first LEI class had a meaningful and engaging experience, building new skills, strengthening peer connections, and gaining leadership tools they can carry forward in their organizations and communities.

Practical Learning for Today’s Housing Challenges
Join affordable housing finance professionals from across the country for timely discussions, real-world examples, and actionable insights designed to help local HFAs and their partners navigate today’s evolving housing landscape. Sessions and conversations will highlight strategies, tools, and lessons learned that attendees can bring back to their organizations and adapt to their local needs.

You’re invited to a Coffee Chat, hosted by the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA). These casual, 30‑minute conversations are a great way to meet people who understand your world. Low-stakes, high reward.

This month's Coffee Chat is led by Damon Burns, CEO of Finance New Orleans, to talk about innovation in affordable housing and creative approaches you can take to build relationships. He will be joined by Curtis Doucette from Iris Developmentand Jackie Dadakis from Green Coast Enterprises for a fantastic conversation.

Join Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington, Assistant Vice President for Forecasting & Analysis at the National Association of Home Builders, for U.S. Economic Outlook & Housing Market Insights on Tuesday, September 15.

This timely keynote session will examine the current economic and housing market landscape, with a focus on the factors influencing residential construction activity nationwide. 

NALHFA is pleased to welcome Jessica Taylor, Senate and Governors Editor at The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, as the keynote speaker for the 2026 NALHFA Fall Educational Summit, taking place September 15–16 in Washington, D.C.

In her keynote session, “The Path to Power: A Deep Dive into Key Senate, House, and Governors Races,” Taylor will provide an inside look at the races poised to shape the balance of power in Washington.

The National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA) announced its Award of Excellence winners during its Annual Business Meeting and Award Luncheon at the NALHFA Annual Conference held in San Antonio, Texas.

The NALHFA Award of Excellence is the most prestigious recognition in the local affordable housing finance community. The award honors the mission-driven work that NALHFA members carry out in communities across the country to expand access to affordable housing for those who need it most.

The National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA) proudly recognized the inaugural class of its Leadership Excellence Institute (LEI) during the NALHFA Annual Conference, held May 4–6, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.

The LEI program was created to support the growth and development of emerging and mid-level leaders in the affordable housing finance field by providing participants with valuable opportunities for professional development, industry engagement, and peer connection. The graduation of this first class marks an important milestone for both the program and NALHFA.

The National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA) is proud to honor Jim Shaw with its Distinguished Lifetime Service Award in recognition of his extraordinary contributions and decades of dedicated service to both NALHFA and the entire affordable housing finance community.

This prestigious recognition has been awarded only five times in the association’s 44-year history, underscoring the significance of Shaw’s impact on the industry and the communities it serves