National Housing and Community Development Law Project

What it reported doing in 2024

The principal programs of the Organization are: Policy Analysis and AdvocacyPolicy advocacy is a core component of NHLPs work. NHLP policy advocacy efforts include monitoring proposed and existing policies and programs at the federal, state and local levels and preparing and disseminating analyses of proposed policies. The Organization makes direct presentations to legislative and administrative bodies and also helps advocates in appearances before these bodies.Policymakers at all levels of government often request NHLPs assistance in evaluating the impact of proposals and programs on the poor. Additionally, NHLP provides policymakers with strategies to more effectively respond to the housing challenges of low income households, people of color, immigrants, domestic violence survivors and people with criminal records.Co-counsel and Other Litigation AssistanceOn select cases that bear a potentially high impact in the development of housing law or affect large numbers of low-income households, NHLP participates in litigation with local attorneys as co-counsel, amicus curiae, or in an advisory capacity.PublicationsNHLP provides an array of publications and resources for housing advocates. NHLP is author of HUD Housing Programs: Tenants Rights, a comprehensive legal manual on the rights of residents of federally assisted housing programs, and numerous field manuals that educate legal advocates on the laws governing housing issues that affect poor people and special needs groups and which provide practical client representation strategies. NHLP distributes a monthly newsletter updating its working partners, supporters, and others in the field on innovative ideas and new developments in the low-income housing sector, including new cases, legislation and agency activities. In addition, NHLP periodically releases fact sheets and analyses of emerging issues within its initiative areas.Housing Justice NetworkNHLP sponsors the Housing Justice Network (HJN), an informal network of more than 1,000 experienced housing advocates concerned with advancing housing justice for poor people. HJN members participate in peer learning through list servers and working groups, and collaborate on policy advocacy.Assistance to California Legal Services Programs and AttorneysNHLP receives funding from The State Bar of California under the IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts) and Equal Access Fund programs to serve as a statewide support center to Californias legal services programs and attorneys. As a support center, the Organization provides training, technical assistance, and litigation and advocacy support on issues related to the federal housing programs. Under the Equal Access Fund program, the Organization assists legal services programs in issues related to increasing housing access and opportunity for its client population throughout the state.Technical Assistance for Department of Justice GranteesNHLP provides training and technical assistance to grantees of the U.S. Department of Justices Office of Violence Against Women programs (OVW). Current work focuses on the Violence Against Women Act, other housing rights of survivors of domestic violence, and nuisance ordinances as they affect OVWs service population.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 62.5%; rating input score 62
• Program expense ratio: 93.9%; rating input score 94
• Fundraising efficiency: $187.76 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 91; 91st percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 34.8%; rating input score 87; 87th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.12; rating input score 64; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.08; rating input score 63; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 17%; rating input score 16; 16th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 17.1% per year; rating input score 100; 81st percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 21.4% per year; rating input score 100; 89th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 20.9% per year; rating input score 100; 85th percentile among comparable filings