Nearly a third of the United States has housing problems, including lack of affordability, overcrowding, unsafe conditions and homelessness. In the District of Columbia alone, 25 percent of all households spend more than 50 percent of their income on housing.
While building homes is central to our mission, it is only one piece of the puzzle. We must complement our ongoing housing programs with advocacy – so that our mission is taken on by others across our city and nation.
Here in the nation’s capital, volunteers have a unique opportunity to advocate for Habitat at both the local and national levels – by urging elected representatives to DC government and US Congress, as well as others in the community, to support the goals of D.C. Habitat. Tell them about the need for more Habitat homes, more affordable home ownership opportunities for working families and more affordable rental housing in the District.
At the federal level, advocate for our 2009-2010 legislative agenda:
Federal Resources
Approve $80 million in federal resources for the following programs to support the work of Habitat affiliates nationwide.
The Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) funds land purchases and provides infrastructure for the construction of homes for low-income families.
HUD’s Section 4 Capacity Building fund provides Habitat affiliates with technical assistance, training and hiring of staff to increase home production.
Serve America Act
Approve $1.15 billion in federal resources for the Serve America Act.
Funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service supports volunteer service programs that partner with our ministry. AmeriCorps members are integral to the recruiting, training and leading Habitat volunteers. At the Twin Cities affiliate we are able to build 10 more homes a year because of the additional construction capacity enabled by AmeriCorps members.
US Foreign Assistance
Reform US foreign assistance programs to include the importance of adequate shelter and land tenure security. Land tenure security is the ability to live in a place without fear of eviction through establishing land rights. Land tenure security provides an important foundation to increase economic growth, address political and economic inequalities and to reduce poverty in developing countries.
In the House, HR1702 or the SLUM Assistance Act would direct the President to develop a strategy to foster urban management and sustainable urban development, to increase land tenure, to expand access to basic affordable housing, essential services, and infrastructure for the poor, and to promote innovative programs to improve slums.
Senators are encouraged to contact Senators Kerry and Lugar to request that shelter related issues, such as tenure security, be addressed in the context of foreign assistance reform. The SLUM Assistance Act is a good example of legislation that recognizes the importance of shelter while addressing the broader issue of global urbanization.
For more information on the Federal Legislative Agenda visit the Habitat International website.
