Members of Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake (HFHC) recently took part in an empowering annual legislative conference that mobilizes Habitat affiliates from across the nation: Habitat on the Hill! This three-day event is an opportunity for affiliate staff, board members, homeowners, resident leaders, volunteers, emerging leaders and advocates of Habitat’s mission to gather in Washington D.C. to learn and have their voices heard. United by a common cause, participants represent their communities, engage with each other, learn from esteemed experts in housing and collaboratively strategize to champion policies that drive home affordability at the local, state and federal levels.
Some of the policies discussed included funding for programs like the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program and the USDA Section 502 Direct Loan Program, which provide Habitat with the funds to construct, preserve and finance affordable homes. Additionally, affiliates urged Congress to support the Homeownership Supply Accelerator, which would grant financial assistance for the construction of future starter homes and further aid in HFHC’s mission of affordable housing for all.
This year, David Miller, HFHC’s Chief Operating Officer, Melanie du Bois, HFHC’s Homeowner Outreach & Support Coordinator and Kanieka, one of HFHC’s homeowners, represented HFHC at the Capitol. Alongside 400 attendees from 45 states, the event was abuzz with a palpable passion for building homes, communities and hope.
“It is easy to see that each office knows the struggles their constituents are facing when it comes to accessing and affording affordable homeownership. And they are committed to listening to these stories and using their positions to support and pass smart policies and fight for the people who elected them.” Melanie expressed her appreciation for the meetings attended with policymakers.
Participants met with Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks and Representatives Sarah Elfreth and Kweisi Mfume’s staff to exchange ideas and strategies on how to drive impactful change for affordable housing through policy. Affiliates were also able to connect, sharing experiences and ideas.
“This event really shed light on various issues that everyone is facing that we don’t necessarily think about on a regular basis,” Kanieka explained. “Habitat for Humanity is really a life-changing program and it was amazing to see everyone come together to battle the housing crisis, to take a stand on our values, and make our voices be heard.” Kanieka and each of HFHC’s attendees expressed immense gratitude for having the chance to take part in such an enlightening and inspirational event.
Habitat on the Hill serves as a powerful reminder for each affiliate that there is incredible strength in numbers and that together Habitat can realize our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
“We are not alone in our quest for affordable homeownership for all,” David assured. “Our brothers and sisters across the country and world share a profound hope that we can change the world one family at a time. We simply cannot be the ones who allow the darkness to extinguish the light.”
Each year, attendees leave this event with a renewed sense of connectedness and carry it through the year helping one family at a time.
To learn more about how you can take action to make homeownership attainable for more Americans by supporting new policy ideas and existing federal housing and community development programs, click the link today: Call on Congress to invest in affordable homeownership.