Authored by April Capone, Director of External Affairs and Affiliate Engagement, National Apartment Association (NAA)
As a former mayor of my hometown of East Haven, Conn., I know firsthand that public policy involves input across all levels. From major cities to small towns, elected leaders wake up each morning to neighbors struggling to find available and affordable places to call home. As local policy agendas are being set for 2026, now is the moment for local lawmakers to empower governments to take action absent one-size-fits-all mandates.
To be clear, an alarming lack of housing is driving an affordability crisis in many communities nationwide — and it is past time for meaningful action. While one of the defining national concerns of our time, this crisis cannot be solved solely in Washington, D.C. Mayors and municipal officials often control the very factors that affect the local housing market, from zoning decisions and infrastructure priorities to financing choices. Their daily work — approving projects, coordinating services and navigating community concerns — determines whether proposed developments contribute to a thriving neighborhood or end up just a stalled idea.
Valuing the Local Perspective
One of the most surprising things I witnessed as mayor — and still do in my conversations with local leaders from every corner of our country — is how little party labels impact the conversations on housing. In council chambers and county commission rooms, it is often impossible to tell which party a policymaker belongs to when housing is the issue at hand. It is because local leaders across the political spectrum are grappling with the same reality: too little supply, too much demand and a patchwork of rules and incentives that too often slow solutions rather than speed them up.
Housing is a pragmatic issue at the local level. It forces elected officials to confront tradeoffs, manage scarce resources and respond directly to the people affected by their decisions. That practical mindset is exactly why state and federal leaders must focus on enabling local action rather than constraining it in the year ahead.
Local Level Policy Tools
Local leaders can’t wait for our state and federal counterparts to take action, and fortunately, immediate resources are available. If you haven’t already downloaded the NLC Housing Supply Accelerator (HSA) Playbook, take the opportunity to do so right now.
This invaluable guide was created by a cross-sector, collaborative team to meet communities where they are in their housing journey and provide municipal leaders with the insight, knowledge and tools needed to create meaningful change. The HSA is not only an actionable guide, but also a group of housing professionals who each bring our own tools, resources, knowledge and support valuable to address the housing crisis in your community. Tap into that network by reaching out to the group or individual members through NLC and connecting in-person at NLC HSA events.
In addition, the National Apartment Association (NAA) offers housing policy insights, data about rental housing demand in your area and connection with the association of housing providers in your community. We are happy to connect you with our vast resources, including our network of 140 state and local affiliate partners that are leading the way to tangible housing policy solutions. We’re a trusted source for municipal leaders as you work to make meaningful progress on housing availability and affordability.
Looking Ahead
Though the housing affordability crisis is a national issue, local action is where solutions begin.
While local leaders cannot do it all, they can dramatically impact their communities by taking action to create positive change. The housing affordability crisis will not be solved by a single project or policy or by a single level of government. It requires a dedicated partnership between all levels of government, including elected leaders who recognize both the limits and strengths of municipal governance, and mayors who bring practical solutions and local accountability.
This year has many challenges ahead; local leaders must prioritize innovative tools, strategies and a willingness to take politically difficult steps to build more homes. From town hall up, that is where reform starts and beginning to bend the curve on affordability is possible.
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