Advocacy

Habitat for Humanity describes advocacy as changing policies and systems to eliminate barriers to adequate, affordable housing in order to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Though not visible in the construction process, laws, regulations, and appropriations play a significant role in Habitat’s work. Smart policies can help lower production costs, increase available housing, and encourage private sector participation. Other policies can create unnecessary barriers for affordable housing development—often limiting the number of families Habitat can serve.

Advocacy is about influencing public policy, raising awareness, and putting an end to harmful misconceptions. All of which supports Habitat’s vision of creating a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Habitat for Humanity engages in advocacy because it’s essential to expanding the supply and preservation of affordable homes. With more than 52,000 households in Lee County spending over half their income on housing—Habitat alone cannot solve the problem.

Through advocacy, Habitat seeks to influence policy and promote affordability among the broader housing continuum. Thereby positively impacting the lives of all low to moderate-income earners.

Local:

• Impact Fees: Easing the burden of impact fees will keep Habitat homes affordable and encourage private sector development of affordable housing.
• Expeditious Permitting: Supporting a quick and efficient permitting process that allows Habitat to serve the community’s needs without burdensome delays.
• Zoning and Density: Improve local zoning and density ordinances to increase the supply of affordable and available homes.

State:

• Sadowski Trust Fund: Protecting the Sadowski Trust Fund from the harmful sweeps that have diverted $2.3 billion away from Florida’s statewide affordable housing programs.
• Tax Credit Programs: Advocating for increased tax credit allocations for the CCTCP program, which allows Habitat to partner with local businesses for new home construction projects.

Federal:

• Affordable Housing Task Force: Support the creation of an affordable housing task force to study and recommend policy-based solutions.
• Housing and Urban Development: Increase funding for the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) and Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME)
• USDA: Expand Section 502 Single-Family Direct Home Loans for low-income earners in rural communities.

How you can take action:

• Join HFHLH’s Advocacy Ambassador email list to receive legislative debriefings and calls to action.
• Lead the conversation on social media. Follow, like, and share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Use the #CostOfHome and #H4HLeeHendry to connect with us.
• Speak with friends and family about your support of affordable housing and why it’s essential for a healthy community.