Advocate
Help Habitat Support Critical Funding
Few programs can prove their effectiveness and efficient use of every federal dollar as well as the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program. It has far exceeded its performance targets in numbers of families’ assisted, home equity created, low default rates, and private funding leveraged.
Despite these successes, Congress slashed funding for SHOP in half in fiscal year 2012 — from $27 million to $13.5 million — and the program could face further cuts in fiscal year 2013. Your voice is critical right now. Please express your strong support for maintaining stable funding for SHOP.
Support Fellow Advocates as They Head to Capitol Hill.
Today in Washington, D.C., hundreds of Habitat for Humanity leaders, volunteers, supporters and advocates have gathered together for our sixth annual advocacy and legislative conference—known as Habitat on the Hill. They are walking the halls of Congress and talking to every legislator who will listen—spreading the word that affordable housing is the foundation of healthy families and a healthy society and urging support for programs like the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program that help make possible our important work. Even though you could not be with us to meet personally with our elected officials, you can help us deliver a clear message about the dire need for affordable housing.
Board President Craig Evans (center), his wife Karin (left) and Executive Director Tammy Marine pose in front of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC
Redevelopment Money Discontinued!
On December 29, 2011, the California Supreme Court ended redevelopment (RDA) in California and, in the process, wiped out a significant funding source for Habitat affiliates in California. The court decision upheld the elimination of RDAs (AB X 26), while at the same time ruling against legislation that would have allowed RDA’s to reform by “opting-in” (AB X 27), after making payments to their local schools for one fiscal year. The effective date of RDA elimination is February 1, 2012.
We need your help in telling Congress that affordable housing is an important part of a healthy community! Read this article from the San Francisco Chronicle to learn more about how it is effecting Habitat affiliates across California.
Tell Congress that Land Tenure Affects Decent Housing!
As the second anniversary of Haiti’s devastating earthquake approaches, issues that some days seem too numerous to count have slowed the global response to the disaster that killed thousands and left millions homeless. One concern present for Haiti, but certainly not unique to there, is a lack of secure tenure—the legal title to property—for those most vulnerable to disasters and the impact it has on access to decent housing. It was an issue after the Indian Ocean tsunami, and becomes an issue in some way after virtually every disaster, particularly in the developing world. In fact, the United Nations estimates that only 30 percent of land worldwide is registered in a formal system, a daunting roadblock to helping rebuild after a disaster. Please help us remind Congress that land tenure issues matter.
Habitat on the Hill – Youth Grants Available!
Youth Programs and State Farm will offer registration and travel grants for Habitat on the Hill 2012, held Feb. 8-10 in Washington, D.C.
Applicants must be between the ages 16-25 and demonstrate an interest in Habitat for Humanity advocacy activities. Applications are due Dec. 15, 2011. Visit http://www.habitat.org/
Got a minute to stand up for one billion people living in slums? Sign our petition to support the SLUM act and improve living conditions for people around the world.
