NACCED celebrated National Community Development (CD) Week from April 6 – 10. CD Week is an annual event highlighting the importance and impact of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The week serves to educate the public and members of Congress about how this federal investment supports affordable housing, infrastructure upgrades and essential services for vulnerable communities. Throughout the week local governments host events, tours, and outreach activities to demonstrate successful projects and reinforce the importance of sustained CDBG federal funding.

Annually, NACCED members contribute a wide array of compelling presentations during CD Week, reflecting the range of work taking place nationwide. These sessions have showcased creative and effective uses of CDBG resources. NACCED Success Stories illustrate how communities have revitalized neighborhoods, expanded affordable housing opportunities and improved access to vital public services. Last Tuesday, Arlington County, VA; Johnson County, KS; and Los Angeles County, CA participated in NACCED’s CD Week Webinar, showcasing CDBG projects from each locale for an audience of congressional staff, coalition leadership and NACCED members. View the recording here.

Communities across the United States are navigating increasingly complex challenges: housing affordability, infrastructure investment, climate resilience, and equitable economic development. At the center of many of these issues is a fundamental factor: how we use, govern, and invest in land.

Land policy shapes the way that communities address critical needs like housing supply, transportation, economic opportunity, and environmental sustainability. Many public sector professionals and community development leaders are looking for formal education focused specifically on land policy, planning frameworks, and development law.

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.

WASHINGTON, DC – March 26, 2025 - The National Association for County Community and Economic Development (NACCED) is excited to welcome Beam, formerly Edquity as the latest member to join NACCED as a Platinum Associate member!

 

NACCED hosted its 2025 Legislative Conference from February 27 to March 2 in Washington, D.C. NACCED’s Legislative Conference gives members an opportunity each year to advocate the association’s top legislative and regulatory priorities, hear from industry leaders on areas of focus and collaborate with fellow county officials on policy initiatives. 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 27 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 committee staff and individual member offices. Areas discussed by members with staff included concerns on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) staffing capacity, increased federal appropriations for HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program.

Earlier this month, NACCED held its 49^th Annual Educational Conference and Training in Tulsa County, Oklahoma. Local government community development professionals from across the country gathered for three days of education and networking at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Hotel.

Before the conference began, first time attendees enjoyed meeting each other and NACCED’s Board of Directors during a coffee reception. There, first-timers were led in discussion by Board members, learning more about the conference, as well as opportunities for year-round involvement in NACCED. That evening, attendees enjoyed an educational tour of economic development projects along the famous Route 66. The tour concluded at the Gathering Place, Tulsa’s renowned world-class park where a sunset welcome reception was enjoyed.

Last month, NACCED took part in the 2024 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference held in Hillsborough County (Tampa, FL). NACCED leadership engaged in various sessions, project tours, and networking events throughout the conference and the Hillsborough County area. Members offered their expertise, exchanged successful practices, and worked closely with county officials on key issues influencing community well-being and economic development. Members participated in policy advocacy efforts alongside NACo, connected with community leaders to discuss economic growth possibilities, and obtained valuable insights into initiatives designed to improve local infrastructure and create community opportunities. 

NACCED welcomed members to its 2024 Legislative Conference from February 8 – 11 in Washington, D.C. NACCED’s Legislative Conference gives members an opportunity each year to advocate on the association’s top legislative and regulatory priorities, hear from industry leaders on areas of focus and collaborate with fellow county officials on policy initiatives. Members also use the event to further strengthen NACCED’s partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo) and its leadership through the NACo Legislative Conference.

On Thursday, February 8 NACCED members attended in-person meetings with Capitol Hill staff from the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Policy areas discussed by members with staff included increased federal appropriations for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the HOME Partnerships (HOME) program. Also supported was the HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act , which was introduced by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) last month. View the materials NACCED members used during their visits, which you can also utilize in your own conversations with Congressional offices: CDBG one-pager, HOME one-pager .

On Thursday, November 16 NACCED’s Executive Committee visited the nation’s capital for its annual end-of-year meeting with industry leaders. Executive Committee members in attendance were NACCED Board President Linda Jenkins (LA County, CA), Vice President David Sacks (Henrico County, VA), Secretary/Treasurer Jennifer Daniels (Arlington County, VA), and NACCED Representative to NACo Mary Keating (DuPage County, IL).

The team met with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) officials Claudia I. Monterrosa, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Grant Programs with the Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) and Savin Ven Johnson, Deputy Director of the Office of Block Grant Assistance (OBGA). Monterrosa and Ven Johnson provided an overview of HUD’s planned 2024 celebration events for the 50th anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.

Last month, NACCED held its 48th Annual Educational Conference and Training in Salt Lake County, Utah. Local government community development professionals from across the country gathered for three days of education and networking at NACCED’s highest-attended annual conference in over a decade.

Before the conference kicked off, first time attendees enjoyed meeting each other and NACCED’s Board leadership during a first timers’ coffee reception. There, the first-timers and Board members were divided by time zones and got to meet and greet their nearby neighbors, learning more about the conference, as well as opportunities for year-round involvement in NACCED. That evening, attendees had the fun and educational experience of attending a brewery tour organized by Salt Lake City, featuring small businesses which received Salt Lake’s façade improvement grants. It gave everyone an opportunity to mingle and break the ice before the main events while building relationships with colleagues from across the country.

NACCED members heard presentations from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) officials during the 48th Annual Educational Conference and Training in Salt Lake County, UT on September 19. Duncan Yetman, Deputy Director of the Entitlement Communities Division for HUD’s Office of Block Grant Assistance (OBGA), opened the briefing.

 

Deputy Director Yetman’s presentation covered a range of updates on OBGA programs, starting with COVID-era relief funds. He reported that on April 18 of this year, HUD lifted the requirement that 80 percent of a Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV) grant must be expended within three years of grant agreement execution. HUD’s intent with this action is to alleviate expenditure delays directly suffered by grantees caused by the pandemic. HUD found that more than a third of the over 1,200 CDBG–CV grantees faced major supply chain issues for construction materials, prolonged business quarantine shutdowns and a decrease in workforce areas because of the pandemic.

Linda Jenkins: Linda Jenkins is the Director of the Community Development Division at the Los Angeles County Development Authority with over 30 years of extensive grant administration experience. She oversees the annual planning, reporting, and implementation for over $20 million in CDBG funds allocated to the County of Los Angeles, the largest Urban County grantee with 48 participating cities. In addition, Linda has experience in oversight and administration of Rapid Rehousing Programs for families and individuals experiencing homelessness, Emergency Rental Assistance programs, Lead Paint Hazard Reduction, and Construction Management Services for public and privately owned properties. As a member of NACCED, Linda has served as the Membership Chair, Board Member, and is currently serving on the Executive Board as Vice President. Linda Jenkins has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside and a Master’s in Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach. She is running for the position of President of the NACCED Board of Directors and currently serves as the Vice President.

 David Sacks: Since 2011, David Sacks has served as the Community Development Manager with the Henrico County, Virginia, Department of Community Revitalization, responsible for administering the County’s federal entitlement grant funds (CDBG, HOME, ESG). He also serves as the administrator of the County’s Enterprise Zone and is responsible for designing and implementing a variety of revitalization and housing programs. He was previously the City of Richmond’s Deputy Director of Community Development responsible for the City Master Plan, Downtown Plan, neighborhood planning, the historic preservation program and administration of the City’s federal entitlement funds. He oversaw Richmond’s Neighborhoods in Bloom program that received the HUD Secretary’s Opportunity and Empowerment Award from the American Planning Association. David has also served as an Assistant Director with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and as Interim Executive Director of a non-profit housing development corporation. He has also served on a variety of local, regional and national non-profit boards and advisory groups including community associations, foundation boards, and non-profit service providers. With NACCED, David served as Vice Chair of the Community Development Committee and has been featured as a guest on the Holistic Housing Podcast. David currently serves as NACCED’s Secretary/Treasurer and is running for the position of Vice President.