This February, our very own Community Engagement Manager, Jessica, had the incredible opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. to attend Habitat on the Hill—Habitat for Humanity’s annual legislative conference that brings together affiliates from all over the country.
Habitat on the Hill (HOTH) is more than just a gathering; it’s a powerful advocacy experience that equips Habitat staff and volunteers to speak up for safe, affordable housing at the national level. Over three impactful days, Jessica joined other passionate Habitat leaders to network, grow professionally, and most importantly, prepare to meet with our elected officials to advocate for critical housing issues.
During the conference, Jessica participated in breakout sessions organized by state and region, where attendees reviewed specific legislative “asks” related to housing funding and policies. These sessions also included professional development opportunities, allowing affiliate leaders like Jessica to deepen their advocacy skills and bring new ideas home to our local efforts.
One of the key issues Jessica and fellow advocates raised with lawmakers was the growing inaccessibility of homeownership. For too many people, owning a home has become unattainable. Yet currently, there is no federal initiative dedicated solely to developing affordable starter homes. To help put homeownership back within reach for modest-income families, Habitat for Humanity is calling on Congress and the administration to enact a Homeownership Supply Accelerator. This proposed initiative would empower states to design tailored solutions to local financial barriers, while providing flexible and comprehensive financial assistance to help both nonprofit and for-profit builders construct and rehabilitate homes across rural, urban, and suburban communities.
The Accelerator would help address affordability challenges by supporting the acquisition of land, securing affordable construction financing, and bridging the affordability gap. Participating states would be required to show how their plans reach underserved populations and communities that fall below average homeownership rates.
In addition to the Accelerator, Habitat advocates are pushing for federal tax incentives to encourage private investment in homeownership. Tax credits have long been used to support rental housing, but expanding these tools to support home construction for ownership would have a transformative effect. Specifically, Habitat urges Congress to:
- Pass the Neighborhood Homes Tax Credit, which would mobilize private investment to build, repair, and rehabilitate homes in distressed neighborhoods.
- Make the New Markets Tax Credit permanent, as NMTC investments are essential to Habitat’s ability to build or acquire homes for low- and moderate-income buyers.
Jessica also highlighted the importance of increased federal funding for programs that directly support affordable homeownership, including:
- The Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP), which helps Habitat affiliates acquire land and build infrastructure.
- The HOME Investment Partnerships Program, which funds development and down payment assistance.
Habitat’s mission is rooted in action—and sometimes, that action means making sure the voices of our communities are heard on Capitol Hill. We’re so proud of Jessica for representing our affiliate and bringing the stories and needs of our neighbors directly to lawmakers.
Advocacy is a vital part of what we do—not just at national events, but every day in our own community. We speak at city council meetings, engage with local leaders, and meet with our state senators and congressional representatives to ensure that affordable housing remains a priority at every level of government.
Stay tuned for more updates on how we’re building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter—both here at home and in the halls of Congress.
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