Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Advocacy
We’re transforming federal housing policy by advocating for disability-forward reforms to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) is the nation’s primary tool for financing affordable rental housing. For nearly four decades, it has helped create and preserve millions of homes — yet it has not kept pace with today’s housing shortage or the urgent need for accessible, inclusive housing.
We are advocating for federal reforms to expand and strengthen LIHTC so it can better serve people with disabilities, older adults, and low-income families. Through national coalitions and federal legislation, we are working to ensure LIHTC produces homes that are truly accessible and inclusive.
Learn more about LIHTC in our Learn Center.
Federal LIHTC Priorities
We lead and support federal legislation and reforms that:
Improve Deep Affordability
- Enable deeper income targeting to reach extremely low-income households.
- Pair LIHTC with rental assistance and other subsidies to serve those with the greatest needs.
Strengthen Accessibility & Inclusion
- Incentivize or require higher accessibility standards in LIHTC properties.
- Incentivize LIHTC properties in more walkable and rollable neighborhoods.
- Increase production of units accessible to people with mobility, sensory, and other disabilities.
Visitable Inclusive Tax Credits for Accessible Living (VITAL) Act
We championed the first-ever federal legislation to embed disability-forward reforms within LIHTC: Visitable Inclusive Tax Credits for Accessible Living (VITAL) Act.
The VITAL Act would:
- Create requirements and incentives for accessible units in LIHTC developments
- Incentivize development in walkable, rollable neighborhoods with proximity to public transit, healthcare, and community amenities.
The VITAL Act aligns federal housing investment with the principles of accessibility, community integration, and aging in place, ensuring that LIHTC developments support full participation in community life.
Contact your Congressional representatives and ask them to cosponsor the upcoming legislation.
Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (AHCIA)
We are a member of the ACTION Campaign, a national coalition of more than 2,400 organizations and businesses advocating for the expansion and strengthening of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.
Through ACTION, we support the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (AHCIA) — bipartisan legislation that would:
- Expand the annual LIHTC allocation
- Increase housing production
- Improve affordability
- Enhance program flexibility to better meet community needs
AHCIA represents a critical opportunity to significantly scale affordable housing development nationwide.
Qualified Allocation Plan Advocacy
We’re transforming how states approach affordable housing by advocating for disability-forward solutions in their Qualified Allocation Plans (QAPs). We advocate for QAPs that increase the supply of affordable housing and embed cross-disability accessibility, inclusivity, and supportive services at every step of housing development. Through research, strategic partnerships, and policy tools, we support agencies, developers, and advocates in making inclusive housing the norm, not the exception.
We have submitted comments or supported our partners in submitting comments in Alabama, California, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Wyoming.
Discover how state-level reforms to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program present a powerful, underused opportunity to increase the supply of accessible housing in our Learn Center.
Our Work
We’ve made significant strides in reshaping QAP policy and practices nationwide. Some highlights of our recent work include:
- Collaboration with State Agencies: Partnering with state housing finance agencies to recommend QAP updates that prioritize provisions for disability inclusion.
- Policy Analysis: Analyzing QAP language and provisions to identify opportunities for stronger requirements and incentives.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Conducting interviews and trainings with housing experts, disability advocates, and developers to ensure diverse voices shape QAP evolution.
- Technical Assistance: Supporting implementation strategies for more accessible and integrated housing in LIHTC-funded developments.
The Kelsey QAP Advocacy Guide
Our QAP Advocacy Guide is a practical resource for advocates, developers, policymakers, and community organizations. This guide outlines:
- What QAPs are and why they matter for inclusive housing
- Strategies for engaging in your state’s QAP process
- Key disability-forward criteria to advocate for in QAP revisions
Watch Our Webinar: QAP Advocacy in Action
We hosted a webinar featuring housing experts and disability advocates sharing lessons and strategies from the frontlines of QAP advocacy. Topics included:
- How states are successfully implementing inclusive QAP provisions
- Common challenges in advocating for disability inclusion and how to overcome them
- The role of advocates in shaping long-term housing inclusion, affordability, and accessibility.
Watch the full webinar below or by clicking here.
Want support with your QAP advocacy?
We would love to connect with you on QAP advocacy! Whether you are developing a campaign or looking to partner with advocates on writing public comments for your state’s QAP, we’re here to discuss best practices and strategies for success. To get support with your QAP advocacy, contact our team.
Contact Us*Please contact your state housing agency for general questions about your state’s QAP.