HousingAnd

This Women’s History Month, Housing& is proud to celebrate the incredible impact that women have had - and continue to have - on .

From the earliest days of federal housing policy, women have helped shape the systems we rely on today. The Housing Act of 1937 established the United States Housing Authority, and was influenced by reformers like Jane Addams and Catherine Bauer who helped lay the foundation for affordable housing in communities across the country.

In the 1970s, women activists led the fight for financial independence in housing. The passage of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 ensured all women could access credit—including mortgages—without requiring a male co-signer, marking a critical step toward equity in homeownership.

In 1977, Patricia Roberts Harris was confirmed as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Making history as the first Black woman to be appointed to the President’s cabinet in the United States, she brought a deep commitment to expanding opportunity through housing.

Today, so many women continue to lead across every corner of our field – from and , to , , and – women do it all.

We’re proud to work alongside so many of them, and to convene leaders across our field at our upcoming Annual Meeting & Housing Expo.

Learn more and join us: https://housingand.org/training-engagement/annual-meeting-housing-expo/35th-annual-meeting-housing-expo/

Happy Women’s History Month!

50 days to go until the 35th Annual Meeting & Housing Expo! Visit here for details: https://housingand.org/training-engagement/annual-meeting-housing-expo/35th-annual-meeting-housing-expo/

Today, Housing& had the pleasure of attending the NOVA Supportive Housing Summit, hosted by CSH.

The opening panel regarding local development and resident services was especially engaging, and it was great to hear from True Ground Housing Partners and Wesley Housing about the successes they’ve had in those areas, the challenges they’ve faced, and the lessons they’ve learned from their projects.

We also very much appreciated the opportunity to connect with CSH, leaders from the Supportive Housing Institute and DBHDS, and so many other leaders championing supportive housing in our region – and the heartiest of congratulations to all supportive housing awardees recognized today.

Thank you all for the incredible work you’re doing, and thank you so much to CSH for hosting such a riveting event. Housing& looks forward to the next one!

🚨REMINDER: Registration for the 35th Annual Meeting and Housing Expo is now open!🚨

Don’t miss your opportunity to convene with innovators and changemakers in the affordable housing industry. Hear from cross-sector leaders in the space about the future of affordable housing production, and the parts we all play in ensuring that communities can thrive.

Visit this link to learn more and register today: https://housingand.org/training-engagement/annual-meeting-housing-expo/35th-annual-meeting-housing-expo/

Have you registered for Housing&'s 35th Annual Meeting and Housing Expo yet?

This year's program will include:
> The unveiling of the latest update to the Housing Indicator Tool (HIT)
> Housing Achievement Awards
> The Generation& Scholarship
> Children's Essay Contest and so much more!

We're looking forward to seeing you on May 13, 2026 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. Don't miss your opportunity to convene and network with the Capital Region's most impactful affordable housing and community development professionals. See who's joining us! More info can be found here:

35th Annual Meeting & Housing Expo Join Housing& on May 13th, 2026 for its 35th Annual Meeting & Housing Expo—policy sessions, Housing Indicator Tool launch, awards, scholarships & community networking.