In the face of a historic housing shortage that includes a lack of entry-level homes and skyrocketing home prices, Habitat for Humanity mobilized advocates in Washington D.C. February 6-8th, 2024 to call on Congress to take needed action to address the affordable housing crisis.
In the United States, nearly 1 in 6 households spend more than half of their income on housing. Advocates from 43 states urged Congress to act and prioritize policies that will increase the number of affordable homes, especially for entry-level homeownership, and proposed the following:
Robust funding for vital housing and community development programs at HUD and USDA in the fiscal year 2025 budget.
Passage of the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act, bipartisan legislation that will revitalize distressed neighborhoods by using federal tax credits to mobilize private investment in building and substantially rehabilitating homes for low- and moderate-income homeowners.
This mobilization effort coincides with the organization’s growing impact through advocacy. In 2019, Habitat launched Cost of Home, a five-year advocacy campaign. Now in its fifth and final year, Cost of Home has already helped 6.6 million people access stable, affordable homes through its advocacy efforts to influence more than 300 policies at the local, state and federal levels.
Habitat advocates also highlighted Home Equals, an international campaign dedicated to achieving policy change, at all levels, to ensure that people living in informal settlements around the world have equitable access to adequate housing.
Habitat for Humanity International honored four congressional leaders who continually prioritize housing with the Habitat for Humanity Housing Champions Award. They include: Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo.; Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa.; Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del.; and Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind.
“Meaningful and substantial action is needed at every level of government to ensure that every person has the stable foundation a safe place to live provides,” said Chris Vincent, vice president, government relations and advocacy at Habitat for Humanity International. “Elected officials have legislative options with bipartisan support to prioritize housing. We are raising our voices to make sure they know and understand how we all can make progress on this growing national challenge.”
Under the inspiring theme of “Reaching new heights, together,” Habitat on the Hill 2024 offered an unparalleled opportunity. Attendees not only deepened their understanding of the urgent need to address the nation’s housing challenges through policy change, but they also explored how these policies can serve as transformative tools for advancing racial equity.
Even if you didn’t attend Habitat on the Hill, you can still use your voice to ensure that everyone has access to a stable, affordable place to call home. Join us by urging Congress to act to invest in our nation’s affordable housing supply HERE.
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