NACCED hosted its 2026 Legislative Conference from February 19 to February 22 in Washington, D.C., offering members an opportunity to advance the association’s federal legislative and regulatory priorities on Capitol Hill, engage directly with key policymakers and collaborate with fellow county officials on emerging policy solutions shaping the year ahead. Additionally, the event serves as an opportunity to reinforce NACCED’s partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo) and engage with its leadership through the NACo Legislative Conference.

On Thursday, February 19 NACCED members attended in-person meetings with Capitol Hill offices in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. NACCED members took the opportunity to meet with both committee staff and individual member offices. Areas discussed by members with staff included educational overview of association-supported provisions in the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act and Housing for the 21^st Century Act; concerns on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) staffing adequacy; and increased federal appropriations for HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program.

Thank you to the membership for electing me as NACCED president. I am continuing a long tradition with my community being involved in NACCED. I represent Arlington County, Virginia (at 26 square miles, the smallest urban county in the country!), and we were one of the founding members of NACCED in the 1970s.  In fact, Arlington’s first female Housing and Community Development Director, Joan Linderman, was one of NACCED’s early presidents, and my predecessor Jane Eboch was a NACCED president in 2011. So I’m particularly proud and honored to be able to carry on this tradition. 

So, why have we continued to be involved in NACCED?  For me, it’s been incredibly helpful in three ways:

On Thursday, November 13 NACCED’s Executive Committee visited Washington, D.C. for its annual end-of-year meeting. Executive Committee members in attendance were NACCED President Jennifer Daniels (Arlington County, VA), Vice President Joe Riddle (Pinellas County, FL), Secretary/Treasurer Marcos Ysmael (Pima County County, AZ), and NACCED Representative to the National Association of Counties (NACo) Mary Keating (DuPage County, IL).

The group began the day by meeting with NACo Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Matthew Chase for a productive discussion on the future of affordable housing, community development and economic development federal programs. The conversation centered on shared priorities for strengthening county-level capacity, improving federal program efficiency and advancing long-term housing affordability solutions. Both organizations exchanged advocacy updates and identified opportunities to align messaging for elevation of county voices in ongoing policy debates, reinforcing a strong partnership heading into the new year.

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Earlier this month, NACCED held its 50^th Annual Educational Conference and Training in Maricopa County, Arizona. Local government professionals from across the country – from Alaska to Florida - convened for three days of education and networking at the Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West.

Prior to the start of the conference, first-time attendees gathered for a coffee reception with NACCED’s Board of Directors on Monday, September 8. The Board led an engaging discussion, giving newcomers the chance to connect with one another, gain insight into the upcoming conference programming and explore ways to stay involved with NACCED throughout the year. That evening, attendees traveled to the Arizona State University Media and Immersive Experience Center for a showing of Fault Lines, a movie providing an overview of the affordable housing shortage crisis in the Bay Area, and heard a panel presentation from local housing policy leaders.

Last week, NACCED took part in the 2025 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference held in the city and county of Philadelphia, PA. NACCED leadership participated in a range of sessions and networking events during the conference and across the Philadelphia area. Members shared their expertise, traded best practices, and collaborated with county officials on critical issues affecting community well-being and economic growth. They engaged in policy advocacy efforts with NACo, met with community leaders to explore strategies for economic development, and gained important perspectives on initiatives aimed at strengthening local infrastructure and expanding community opportunities.

Last month, NACCED celebrated National Community Development (CD) Week from April 21 – 25. CD Week is an annual event highlighting the importance and impact of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The week is designed to raise awareness among both policymakers and local leaders about how this federal program supports affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, and services for low- to moderate-income communities. Local governments, nonprofits, and community organizations often host events, tours, and outreach efforts during the week to showcase successful projects and advocate for continued funding.

Over the years, NACCED members have delivered a wide range of insightful and impactful presentations during Community Development Week, showcasing the diverse initiatives happening across the country. These sessions have highlighted innovative uses of CDBG funds, with Success Stories demonstrating how communities have revitalized neighborhoods, created affordable housing, and expanded access to public services.