CEO Corner Week of 7/20/26: Conference Recap and Litigation Updates

Although the summer is typically a time to downshift, I always feel more energized after the July National Conference on Ending Homelessness and Capitol Hill Day. Being in community with more than 1,600 people working to end homelessness is always the proof I need that we have the smartest and most passionate people in the nation working on this issue, learning from one another, and getting the hard work done. Throughout the week, I saw our shared values on display:

• Faith that ending homelessness is possible.
• Love that refuses to give up on people.
• Home as the outcome every person deserves.

As we went into day 2 of the conference, we also saw these values turn to action as hundreds of advocates headed to Capitol Hill to Fight Like Hell for the resources and policies people need. Throughout the day, advocates met with more than 300 Congressional offices in the House and Senate to tell them about the impacts of HUD’s harmful actions on their communities and more importantly, about the people whose lives depend on the decisions that Congress makes.

This is the greatest participation I have witnessed at Capitol Hill Day, and that shows me that we are collectively meeting the challenges of this moment with the right level of urgency. To everyone who participated, I want to thank you, and I urge you to keep the efforts up all year long.

Litigation

Earlier this month, the Alliance and its co-plaintiffs filed a new complaint against HUD to address unlawful components of the FY 2026 NOFO and HUD’s untimely obligation of FY2025 awards. This decision was made after careful consideration, but it ultimately boiled down to this: HUD will not relent on its attacks against homeless services and evidence-based practices unless held accountable by the courts and Congress. We have asked the Court for an expedited briefing, which means arguments for both parties will be made by July 31^st. Additionally, we asked for summary judgment – or a final decision – by August 10^th, and if the Court is unable to decide that quickly, we also asked for a Preliminary Injunction parallel to our request for expedited summary judgment.  

Status of FY2026 CoC Competition

With less than 30 days until local competition decisions must be made, HUD just this week made project applications available in e-snaps, and it has still not released* the CoC application or the detailed instructions to help people respond to the FY2026 CoC Program NOFO. Meanwhile, late last week, HUD provided notice of its intent to modify the FY2026 CoC Program NOFO to allow for a direct-to-HUD application process for applicants in geographic areas where HUD has determined the CoC does not meet the requirements. This process would only affect one CoC as of now, but it sets a dangerous precedent.

This modification bypasses the most critical aspect of the CoC competition—a community-wide ranking, review, and decision-making process. Instead, it places that entire process in HUD’s hands. The Alliance is tracking this closely.

Advocacy

Keep your members of Congress informed about what is happening with HUD CoC funding. HUD continues to not act in good faith, despite Congress providing clear direction on both the award of FY2025 CoC funds and the FY2026 competition. Make sure your members know that FY2025 grant agreements continue to move slowly, with nearly 700 already expired grants still without a grant agreement. In addition, inform them that despite publishing the FY2026 CoC NOFO on June 1, application materials have yet to be made available.  

We won’t settle for anything less than all of our neighbors having a place to call home.  

*UPDATE: With less than 30 days until local competition decisions must be made, project applications in e-snaps and accompanying detailed instructions were not available until the evening of July 21st, after this CEO Corner was published. HUD has still not released the CoC application or its accompanying detailed instructions to help CoCs respond to the FY2026 CoC Program NOFO.