National League of Cities

Working in partnership with the 49 state municipal leagues to strengthen cities, towns and villages.

[National League of Cities @leagueofcities]

Today NLC released its 2026 State of the Cities report, providing a national snapshot of the priorities, challenges and opportunities shaping America’s cities, towns and villages.

The report finds that while economic growth remains the top priority for local leaders, cities continue to face overlapping, long-term challenges related to housing affordability, infrastructure investment, workforce development and community wellbeing.

Learn more and view the full report now: https://t.co/xKNVq5aiRz

[National League of Cities @leagueofcities]

We're officially kicking off the NBC-LEO Summer Conference in @cityofbhamal, Alabama, where more than 150 Black local elected officials and municipal leaders are coming together to connect, collaborate and explore solutions to today's biggest challenges.

From public safety and housing to economic development and Black local leadership, the next few days will be filled with meaningful conversations, idea sharing and opportunities to strengthen partnerships that help communities thrive.

Follow along as we share highlights from the conference! #NBCLEO26

[Alabama League of Municipalities @AL_League]

Last week ALM’s Mary Pollard & Ty Rayford represented Alabama at the @leagueofcities Staff Workshop in Phoenix. The workshop focused on empowering conversations & networking with Leagues across the country. Thanks for helping us stay current on how to best serve our members!

[National League of Cities @leagueofcities]

NLC can’t get enough of Tennessee! We had a great time this month at the Tennessee Municipal League’s (@TML4Cities) Annual Conference (#TML86) in Kingsport.

Next up…we’ll see you all in @MetroNashville this November for #CitySummit26! 🥳🎵🎸 Learn more and reserve your spot now at https://t.co/IYM4BU3FVZ.

[National League of Cities @leagueofcities]

Communities of all sizes can take meaningful steps to increase housing supply, expand homeownership opportunities and support residents experiencing homelessness.

Learn more about the approach taken by @EverettCity, WA in a CitiesSpeak post authored by @MayorCassie: https://t.co/FWYcKdCZvg

[National League of Cities @leagueofcities]

Find some time to explore NLC’s Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook.

Created in partnership with @APA_Planning, the playbook is a resource designed to support communities in navigating their housing supply challenges.

Discover key insights, case studies, resources and beyond: https://t.co/3wNCo2r57D

[National League of Cities @leagueofcities]

Arts and culture are fundamental to the vitality and wellbeing of our cities, towns, and villages; they can inspire, heal and help our communities grow.

With Arts & Health Day coming up on July 25, learn how @CityofProv, RI embraced the arts by hiring artists-in-residence at their public housing apartment towers. What resulted wasn’t just beautiful art, but a true community.

Get more information about Arts & Health Day, including how to participate, at https://t.co/2RWOWMi46a. #ArtsHealthDay26

[National League of Cities @leagueofcities]

🚨 Tomorrow! 🚨 Be there for our 2026 Municipal Bonds Update webinar.

The municipal bond market is on pace for a third consecutive record year. This session, hosted alongside Enterprise Partner @BAMutual, will break down the drivers of that performance and share insights about what city leaders need to know before their community sells bonds. 

This event is held as part of NLC’s #SummerofSavingsandSolutions.

Learn more and register now at https://t.co/sHmmi33zNR.

[National League of Cities @leagueofcities]

In case you missed it yesterday – thank you to @RepRickLarsen, @RepMikeCollins, @RepWilson and @RepSamGraves!

[National League of Cities @leagueofcities]

Find some time to explore NLC’s resource on Community Land Trusts: A Guide for Local Governments.

This report offers an introduction to the community land trust (CLT) model for housing, sheds light on the benefits CLTs bring to both residents and cities and highlights key ways that municipal governments and local leaders can initiate or support CLTs in their communities.

https://t.co/hBozlhYOJr

[National League of Cities @leagueofcities]

Clean, safe and affordable water is essential to every community.

NLC applauds the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee for advancing the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and reauthorizing critical drinking water, wastewater and stormwater programs. These investments help cities, towns and villages protect public health, strengthen local infrastructure and support economic growth.

NLC looks forward to continuing to work with Congress to advance these priorities and support local leaders with the resources they need to serve their residents.

@SenCapito @SenWhitehouse

[Smart Cities Dive @smartcitiesdive]

As they face shrinking federal support and housing shortages, city leaders are focusing on attracting business for economic growth, a @leagueofcities report found.
https://t.co/WXY397UVzZ

[National League of Cities @leagueofcities]

Did you know July is Disability Pride Month?

Use this month as a reminder that we need to build more disability-forward housing: housing that is inclusive, accessible and affordable.

With the right tools, the right partners and the right incentivization, this is not only possible, but could be the future of housing.

https://t.co/K1nnYff9Jm

[National League of Cities @leagueofcities]

Transform your parks, trails and greenways into vibrant, recreational spaces with funding from the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) federal grant program.

Join our upcoming webinar in partnership with the @NatlParkService, National Recreation and Park Association (@NRPA_news) and @CityParksAll on Wednesday, July 22, at 1 PM ET. Hear from the NPS on applicant and project eligibility, tips for writing a strong ORLP application and the application and selection process.

https://t.co/B61o68gjCa

[National League of Cities @leagueofcities]

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is now law. But the story didn't begin there. From bipartisan support in Congress to recognition on the House floor, this video tells the story behind one of the most significant housing laws in more than a decade.

This video features one of Congressman Sylvester Turner's final conversations on housing and tells the story of how NLC worked alongside local leaders to help turn local priorities into national progress.

[National League of Cities @leagueofcities]

"With the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act signaling renewed national attention to supply and affordability, local cities are a step closer to fully actualizing the promise of those resources."

In a CitiesSpeak post by Councilmember @ThomasDTiffany, chair of @HoustonTX's Housing & Affordability Committee and member of NLC's America's Housing Comeback Advisory Group, learn more about the role local government will play in shaping the housing landscape at the local level: https://t.co/tDxxVIQXBx

[National League of Cities @leagueofcities]

"Things like connectivity and the technology services that local governments use touch literally every single aspect of city government. And I think more and more cities realize that they have to have affordable, high-speed, reliable internet to attract and retain residents and businesses.”

Our newest episode of the CitiesSpeak podcast features Angelina Panettieri, Legislative Director for Information Technology and Communications at NLC, in conversation with NLC Senior Executive and Director of Federal Advocacy Irma Esparza Diggs.

The episode explores two of the most pressing technology issues facing local governments today: expanding broadband access and implementing new federal web accessibility requirements.

Panettieri explains how federal broadband legislation and Department of Justice accessibility rules could affect local governments, while highlighting NLC's advocacy to protect local decision-making and ensure cities have the time and resources needed to serve residents effectively.

Listen now at https://t.co/5OVyNTML60.

[National League of Cities @leagueofcities]

“Strength is not the absence of problems. It is the willingness to face them directly and do the hard work of change to become stronger, more accountable and more prepared for the future we are building together.”

Hear from local leaders, like Mayor Robert G. Cantelmo (@RGC_NYS) of @CityofIthaca1, NY, in NLC’s newly released 2026 State of the Cities report.

From an analysis of mayoral speeches to survey data and public polling, this report reflects what is top of mind for chief elected officials, how they are addressing their most pressing issues and the ways they’re remaining resilient in the face of those challenges.

Explore the report now at https://t.co/8oYsN8bLag.