National Housing & Community Development Law Project
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Organization is a national housing and legal advocacy center. Its mission is to advance housing justice for poor people by: increasing and preserving the supply of decent, affordable housing; improving existing housing conditions, including physical conditions and management practices; expanding and enforcing low-income tenantsb
- Income
- $9.4 million
- Spending
- $6.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 94%
- Reserves
- 9.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 90%
- Employees
- 32
- Volunteers
- 11
- Highest pay
- $234,260, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 20% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1594% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $5.8 million spent. 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.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1978.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.