Washington, D.C. – Democracy Forward received the “Excellence in Leadership Award” from the National Community Development Association (NCDA) at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on February 6. The award recognized Democracy Forward’s recent work in protecting federal funding that helps house hundreds of thousands of people, including seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, families with children, and LGBTQ+ youth. Democracy Forward Senior Counsel Kristin Bateman accepted the award during a keynote address before the 57th NCDA Legislative, Policy, and Professional Development Conference.
In her remarks, Bateman addressed the crisis that our democracy is facing and the way in which it is harming real people and communities across the nation. She highlighted the courage and willingness of ordinary Americans to defend our democracy and fight for what’s right.
Bateman, Carrie Flaxman, Aleshadye Getachew, Maddy Gitomer, Christine Coogle, Simon Brewer, Aman George, and Robin Thurston represent the legal team at Democracy Forward working on National Alliance to End Homelessness et al. v. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a case challenging the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) sudden and unlawful decision to completely overhaul the federal government’s primary homelessness program, placing hundreds of thousands of people at risk of losing stable housing.
“Democracy Forward’s leadership in safeguarding the Continuum of Care program was especially impactful for our members, many of whom work directly with these grants,” said Vicki Watson, Executive Director of NCDA. “We are incredibly happy to celebrate their work at this year’s conference.”
“Democracy Forward is honored to receive this kind recognition, and even more grateful to represent brave and dedicated clients to protect our democracy from an autocratic assault that weaponizes federal funding in an unlawful political crusade,” said Bateman. “Courtrooms have become a critical frontline to defending people and communities. We will continue to use the law to build collective power and advance a bold, vibrant democracy for all people, and partners like NCDA make that work possible.”
For decades, Congress has directed HUD’s Continuum of Care program to prioritize permanent housing and provide stable, predictable funding so communities can prevent and reduce homelessness. In 2024, Congress authorized a two-year funding cycle to improve efficiency and stability. HUD initially followed that directive. In November 2025, however, HUD abruptly reversed course. The agency rescinded the congressionally authorized two-year Notice of Opportunity (NOFO) and replaced it with a new process that would slash funding for permanent housing by two-thirds, delay critical grants for months, and impose unlawful ideological conditions on applicants. As a result, local governments and nonprofit providers faced immediate funding gaps that threatened housing for more than 170,000 people, including seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, families with children, and LGBTQ+ youth.
On December 1, 2025, a coalition made up of the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), Crossroads Rhode Island, Youth Pride, Inc., as well as the County of Santa Clara, Calif., San Francisco, Calif., King County, Wash., Boston, Mass., Cambridge, Mass., Nashville, Tenn., and Tucson, Ariz. filed suit, asking the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island to block HUD’s unlawful rescission of the two-year funding framework and its replacement with the new NOFO. The coalition sought emergency relief to prepare for funds to go out and to stop the administration from shifting resources away from proven, evidence-based solutions to homelessness. Democracy Forward and the ACLU Foundation of RI represent the coalition of nonprofit organizations in the matter; the National Homelessness Law Center represents NAEH and NLIHC; Public Rights Project represents the cities of Boston, Cambridge, Nashville and Tucson; and Santa Clara County and San Francisco represent themselves. The Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island represents all plaintiffs.
In December 2025, the court granted a preliminary injunction blocking HUD’s rescission of the two-year NOFO and its replacement with the new NOFO, and ordering the agency to prepare to grant renewals under the original, congressionally authorized funding framework, should the court ultimately order that relief. That order remains in effect while the case proceeds toward a final decision on the merits on an expedited basis.
More information about National Alliance to End Homelessness et al. v. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is available here.
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Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.
