Main Spotlight: Advocating for Housing and Capacity to Build Stronger Communities on the Third Annual Hill Day

At the start of February, Main Street America hosted our third annual Hill Day in Washington, D.C., an event that continues to grow in both reach and impact. This year, more than 50 Main Street leaders, alongside over a dozen dedicated advocates, convened in the nation’s capital to engage in key discussions with Congressional offices and federal agency representatives. This event underscored the influence and importance of Main Street revitalization efforts across the country.

Expanding Engagement and Strengthening Impact

The rise in participation at this year’s Hill Day highlights the increasing acknowledgment of Main Street’s essential contributions to community vitality and economic resilience and the importance of advocacy. Participants came from 18 states and the District of Columbia — a nearly 50% increase from last year. Over the course of the event, approximately 120 meetings took place with members of Congress, marking a remarkable 75% jump from 2024. This increase in meetings demonstrates the strengthening advocacy efforts of Main Street America and its stakeholders.

This year’s event introduced a dedicated education session the afternoon before the Hill meetings to provide attendees with a deeper understanding of key policy priorities, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to effectively advocate for Main Street initiatives. Following this informative session, a networking happy hour at the historic Patterson Mansion in the DuPont Circle Main Street district offered a unique and valuable opportunity for attendees to connect with representatives from prominent organizations such as the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Transportation for America (T4A), KABOOM!, and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). These connections serve as a testament to the broad coalition supporting Main Street revitalization efforts.

Championing Main Street Policy Priorities

During their meetings, Main Street advocates focused on two core policy areas critical to the success and sustainability of Main Street communities: building local program capacity and expanding housing opportunities in Main Street districts. These advocacy efforts sought to ensure that federal support aligns with the real needs of communities working to preserve and revitalize their commercial districts.

Building Main Street Capacity

Advocates called for support of the Capacity Building for Business Districts Pilot Program (H.R. 10361 – 118^th Congress), which would provide vital Economic Development Administration (EDA) resources to strengthen local business district organizations like Main Streets.

They urged Congress to fund the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program at $4.2 billion in FY26, recognizing its critical role in supporting the operations of Main Street programs and enabling community-driven projects.

Additionally, they highlighted the necessity of securing $225 million in funding for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) in FY26, which plays a key role in preserving and rehabilitating historic commercial corridors vital to Main Street revitalization.

Housing on Main Street

Recognizing the growing housing crisis, advocates emphasized the need to improve the Historic Tax Credit (HTC) through legislative action. They specifically noted the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (H.R. 1785/S. 639– 118^th Congress) and the Rural Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act (S. 5607 – 118^th Congress) to make small-scale Main Street rehabilitation projects more feasible.

They also voiced strong support for the Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act (H.R. 9002/S. 4693), aimed at incentivizing the adaptive reuse of vacant office spaces for housing.

Lastly, they pushed for increased funding for HUD’s HOPE VI Main Street Grant program, a crucial resource under the Choice Neighborhoods program that supports housing development in rural communities.

Navigating a Shifting Federal Landscape

Hill Day took place in a quickly evolving federal landscape, as a wave of executive orders, staff layoffs, and structural changes have raised questions about program stability, funding streams, and administrative capacity. Federal funding for Main Street remains critical, and while Main Street programs are not dependent on a single federal agency or program, these resources significantly advance our work. Moreover, federal staff play an essential role in supporting Main Street initiatives in communities nationwide. Main Street America is committed to good governance and values efficient government operation. Recent federal shifts raise concerns as unclear expectations and abrupt shifts in policy can result in disruptions at the state and local levels, ultimately affecting local budgets and economic stability. 

A key example of this is the anticipated cuts within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including anticipated staff cuts of 84% within the Community Planning and Development (CPD) branch that oversees the allocation, compliance, and monitoring of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. These funds support essential housing, infrastructure, and economic development initiatives in cities, counties, and states across the country. While the full impact of these layoffs remains uncertain, we encourage Main Street programs to engage with their local housing and community development departments to stay informed about any potential disruptions.

Similar disruptions are occurring across multiple federal programs that support Main Streets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has laid off approximately 3,400 employees — about 10% of its workforce — including significant cuts within the Forest Service. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has reduced its workforce by 720 employees (20%). The Department of the Interior has also faced approximately 2,600 layoffs agency-wide, including 1,000 from the National Park Service (NPS), which may impact historic preservation programs and heritage tourism — key economic drivers for many Main Streets. The effects of these cuts remain unclear, and the courts are arbitrating on many actions, such as the termination order for probationary federal employees. Nonetheless, layoffs and structural changes to federal agencies could have real implications for Main Street programs with established federal partnerships for technical assistance, funding administration, and program oversight. As these changes unfold, we encourage Main Street leaders to stay engaged with their federal and state agency contacts to understand potential impacts and advocate for continued program support.

Building Lasting Relationships for the Future

Across the board, meetings with Congressional offices were highly productive, reinforcing long-established relationships while also laying the groundwork for new partnerships. The growing recognition of Main Street programs as drivers of economic revitalization and community development was evident in the positive reception from policymakers.

Main Street America extends deep gratitude to all those who participated in Hill Day and represented their communities with passion and expertise. Attendees’ first-hand experiences and advocacy efforts are instrumental in shaping policies that will continue to empower Main Street districts across the nation.

As we look ahead, Main Street America remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for policies that support the growth and sustainability of local economies. We are eager to build upon the successes of this year’s Hill Day and continue fostering collaborative relationships that drive meaningful change in communities nationwide.

Downtown Decorations, a Main Street America Allied Member, is this quarter’s Main Spotlight advertiser. For more information about what they do to support Main Street organizations, click here.