Advocate for Change

Anyone can be an advocate for safe, affordable housing! Check out the ways you can work to change the community you live in for the better!

Contact your State Representatives

Not sure who your Representative is? Check here! 

Sample Message

Subject: Prioritize and invest in affordable homeownership access

Message:

The U.S. is facing a record shortage of starter homes in every state, driving up housing costs and pushing the dream of homeownership out of reach for hard-working families nationwide. Addressing this challenge will require comprehensive efforts to reduce regulatory barriers and strengthen existing programs, investment in housing programs, and advance bold, innovative policies to rapidly scale the construction of starter homes. As your constituent and a Habitat for Humanity supporter, I call on you to :  

1. Support House Bill 765 to make modifications to Ohio's affordable single-family home tax credit program. Affordable homeownership remains out of reach for many Ohioans due to rising construction costs, interest rates, and limited housing inventory. HB 765 helps create the financial tools necessary to increase the supply of affordable homes statewide.  

2. Support House Bill 361 to address issues with the processes involved in building inspections, local regulations, and zoning. Ohio faces a significant shortage of attainable housing. Streamlining the regulatory and permitting process can help nonprofit builders like Habitat for Humanity stretch limited resources further and build more homes for working families. 

You should also know that Habitat is a global organization working in more than 60 countries around the world and is focused on working with countries, including the U.S., to increase access to adequate housing for the more than 1.1 billion people living in informal settlements globally. In our state, Habitat for Humanity was able to spend $25 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to build 300+ homes and repair an additional 1000+.    

Thank you for recognizing the important role affordable housing plays in strengthening communities and lives.    

Sincerely,

Contact your US Representatives

Not sure who your Representative is? Check here! 

Sample Message

Subject: Prioritize and invest in affordable homeownership access

Message:

The U.S. is facing a record shortage of starter homes in every state, driving up housing costs and pushing the dream of homeownership out of reach for hard-working families nationwide. Addressing this challenge will require comprehensive efforts to reduce regulatory barriers and strengthen existing programs, investment in proved federal housing programs, and advance bold, innovative polices to rapidly scale the construction of starter homes. As your constituent and a Habitat for Humanity supporter, I call on Congress to :  

1. Build on the substantial progress made in the Senate on the  ROAD to Housing Act (S. 2651) and in the House on the Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644) to address our nation’s housing crisis and increase the supply of affordable homes We urge both chambers to work together to advance these bills and pass a final package as soon as possible.  

2. Support the following programs at the following amounts in the FY2027 budget:

- Department of Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD bill):  

-- Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program — at no less than $20 million  

-- HOME Investment Partnerships Program — at no less than $1.5 billion

- Department of Agriculture (Ag bill):  

-- USDA Section 502 Direct Loan Program at no less than $1.25 billion. Each of these successful programs helps organizations like Habitat construct, preserve and finance more affordable homes.    

3. Support the Homeownership Supply Accelerator, Habitat’s innovative federal policy concept to make homeownership a reality for hard-working families nationwide. As envisioned, the accelerator would be a new source of financial assistance to spur the construction of starter homes across the U.S.    

You should also know that Habitat is a global organization working in more than 60 countries around the world and is focused on working with countries, including the U.S., to increase access to adequate housing for the more than 1.1 billion people living in informal settlements globally.    

Thank you for recognizing the important role affordable housing plays in strengthening communities and lives.    

Sincerely,