National Fair Housing Alliance Statement on the 2026 Midterm Elections

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Nikitra Bailey, Executive Vice President, National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) released the following statement on the 2026 Midterm Elections.  

“The people of America went to the polls Tuesday with rising costs on their minds and a clear expectation that their government should work for them. Whatever their party, voters want leaders who’ll honor the dignity of every person, no matter who they are or where they live, and help families afford a safe place to call home. Voters demand transformational actions to the affordability challenges they face. They also selected new leaders with common-sense ideas who represent the fullness of our nation’s rich diversity, including many historic firsts. 

“The election results were a mandate to “redeem the soul of America,” as Congressman John Lewis instructed. As we implement America’s third reconstruction, we must strive to create “The Beloved Community.” An America where every individual and family has a living wage; fair and affordable housing; quality education, healthcare, transportation; clean air and water; restored voting rights; and shared prosperity and power.  

“For most families, housing is where democracy gets personal. It’s where they find out whether equal justice under law reaches their front door. The 2026 Fair Housing Trends Report shows that people facing housing discrimination now have fewer places to turn. For the first time since 1996, HUD and DOJ didn’t provide the crucial federal complaint data NFHA requested, leaving gaps in the national picture of housing discrimination. Most local fair housing organizations that reported data also faced funding disruptions resulting in closed doors and cutting services to people in the local communities that they serve. 

“Our fair housing and lending laws, as well as our framework for civil and equal rights, provide the blueprint to achieving “The Beloved Community.” They are grounded in providing rights to people that have always made up this nation and contributed significantly to building and defending the nation.  

“The Fair Housing Act has long enjoyed strong bipartisan support, and Congress and the Administration must act quickly to fulfill its promises and those of other vital civil rights laws. They must immediately build on the ROAD Act with housing investments that promote financial inclusion and stimulate economic growth for everyone as housing continues to undermine economic security for millions. A housing market in which all people cannot participate fairly, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, familial status, or disability, is a broken market both economically and morally.” 

NFHA calls on Congress and the Trump Administration to: 

• Hold HUD, the CFPB, and other financial regulators accountable through rigorous congressional oversight. 

• Uphold fair housing and fair lending rights and ensure the FHIP program is properly administered as appropriated by Congress. 

• Provide critical funding for downpayment assistance for first-generation homebuyers. 

• Increase dollars for the Housing Choice Voucher Program. 

• Reform the Federal Home Loan Bank System to direct substantially more of its net income to fair and affordable housing, with full compliance with the Fair Housing Act’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing obligation. 

• Revitalize distressed communities with the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act while preventing displacement and gentrification.  

• Pass federal AI legislation grounded in civil rights law. 

Fair housing laws improve our communities block by block. A person’s ZIP code shouldn’t determine their outcomes in life. NFHA looks forward to working with policymakers to create inclusive, well-resourced, healthy, and resilient communities with expanded equitable opportunities for all people to thrive.

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About the National Fair Housing Alliance

The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) leads a coalition that works to build inclusive, well-resourced, and resilient communities; expand equitable opportunities; and end housing discrimination.