On Monday, May 11, Preservation Action and the Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus hosted the 2026 Historic Preservation Month Briefing on Capitol Hill. The briefing highlighted the role historic preservation plays in addressing some of the nation’s most pressing challenges, including affordable housing, economic development, and permitting efficiency.

Lauren Cohen, Director of Government Relations at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, moderated a panel discussion featuring Katlyn Cotton of PlaceEconomics, Mike Phillips of the National Trust Community Investment Corporation, and Elizabeth Tune of the Virginia State Historic Preservation Office.

The panel covered a range of issues impacting the preservation field, including the Section 106 review process and the role State Historic Preservation Offices play in project review and permitting. Speakers also discussed new data on the benefits of rehabilitating historic buildings for affordable housing, as well as the economic activity and community revitalization that can result from investing in Main Streets and downtowns through the Historic Tax Credit.

As Congress continues consider preservation and community development priorities, advocates can support these efforts by encouraging their representatives to support the reauthorization of the Historic Preservation Fund (H.R.3418), appropriate $250 million for the Historic Preservation Fund, cosponsor the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (HTC-GO) (H.R. 2941/S.1459), and join the House Historic Preservation Caucus. Take action on these items today!

Watch the full Congressional briefing.