Planners on the 'ROAD' to Housing Advocacy

"Being an advocate is one of the most important roles someone can have," said APA's public affairs program associate, Zoe Kaplan. "You tell stories, you build relationships, and you influence policy. You hold more power than you even know."

These words kicked off the 2026 Planners' Day on Capitol Hill, a virtual event where dozens of planners met with their Congressional representatives to foster relationships and advocate for federal support that empowers local, planning-led housing action.

Advocates from @georgiaplanning met with @SenatorWarnock's office to talk about getting the 21st Century ROAD to Housing bill over the finish line in the Senate, and how bringing planners' perspective into the conversation will help ensure federal support for housing can be… pic.twitter.com/QTDO14ATK5

— APA Advocates (@APAadvocates) June 10, 2026

Throughout the day, planners held more than 80 meetings with House and Senate offices. Along with their professional expertise in the housing field, advocates brought stories from their communities — what's working, what's not, and what Congress can do to boost much-needed housing supply in their home district and across the country.

Specifically, advocates pushed Senators to support the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the biggest bipartisan housing package in a generation. Recently amended by the House, this legislation includes several APA-endorsed bills and provisions to expand housing supply, address affordability challenges, and strengthen federal programs to increase housing abundance.

On the House side, planning advocates reiterated support for passing the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and additionally emphasized the need to fund key programs like Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Pathways to Reducing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing), HOME, and Choice Neighborhoods in FY27 appropriations.

One Day of Advocacy, Long-term Relationships

But advocacy isn't just a one-time event, as Jennifer M. Raitt, executive director for the Northern Middlesex County of Governments and APA Legislative and Policy Committee chair, reminded planners.

"Advocacy isn't just about asking for change, although we did a lot of that today," said Raitt. "It's about building relationships, creating understanding, and showing up consistently on those issues for people and communities you care about."

For years, APA members have participated in virtual Planners' Days, joined the Planners' Advocacy Network, advocated at Congressional fly-ins, shared APA's annual policy priorities, and nurtured their own relationships with elected officials. And advocates are seeing the work pay off.

"I did the Congressional fly-in in September with these same individuals and did not receive the same reception in September as I did today," shared Iowa planning advocate Madeline Sturms, AICP. Support for the ROAD to Housing bill was also her main legislative ask last fall, and bipartisan momentum for a federal housing package has only grown since then.

"My conversations in September were, 'Why are you talking to me about housing? I don't care about housing. This is a local issue. Stop talking to us about housing.' Today, it was like a 180 difference in that conversation… all of our representatives did vote for the bill." — Madeline Sturms, AICP

By continuing to reach out to Congress and be a voice for their communities — and the planning profession — advocates are seeing positive federal action and deepening advocacy relationships.

"This was my second year doing this, and for two out of my three meetings, I met with the same staffers as last year," reported Washington planning advocate Chelsea Lee, AICP, during the event's closing ceremony:

"It was really nice to feel more comfortable making an ask. And last year, I didn't get any responses to my thank you emails that I sent after the meetings. But I do feel like now that I've talked to them a second time, and then the third meeting, it does help to build that relationship… I now would be more willing to reach out to those staffers as things are coming up. We know each other now, like we recognized each other on the calls." — Chelsea Lee, AICP

With time and dedicated effort, those relationships extend beyond advocacy calls. Long-time planning advocate and current APA President Sue Schwartz, FAICP, shared a memorable moment that began with a typical meeting with her senator last Planners' Day:

"We met with [Senator Budd's office] and had a great conversation. I wrote my thank you note and referred to some things specifically that we talked about. I get a phone call like two weeks later — it's very official: 'This is so-and-so from Senator Budd's office. I need to make an official appointment with you sometime this week.' And I'm like, 'What? Oh sure, okay!' 

He enjoyed our conversation so much. He just wanted to come and see what a planning office looked like and what planners do. He wanted to make sure he had a solid relationship with the planning department. Who knew? That's pretty amazing." — APA President Sue Schwartz, FAICP

What's Next?

The table is set for the Senate to amend the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and move the bill to a floor vote in the coming weeks. It is expected that after negotiation, both chambers will vote yes on the final package, and advocates hope to soon celebrate a legislative win for local housing action backed by federal support and investment.

In the meantime, planning advocates will continue to build meaningful relationships with elected leaders and ensure planners' voices are heard loud and clear in the nation's housing debate.

Top image: Planning advocates (top to bottom left) Leah Eppinger, AICP, and Jeff Raykes, AICP, from Pennsylvania met virtually with Abi Jimenez (bottom right) from Senator John Fettereman's (D-PA) office. APA public affairs program associate Zoe Kaplan (top right) joined the advocates in supporting the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. Screenshot, Zoom, June 11, 2026.