U.S. federal legislative agenda -- Habitat for Humanity Int'l 1
U.S. federal legislative agenda
Our Government Relations and Advocacy team works with legislators and housing regulators to increase support for affordable homeownership and eliminate poverty housing. We monitor public policies related to housing, community and international development. We advocate policy choices that increase access to decent, affordable housing for people around the world.
To accomplish our goals, we are supporting and focusing our legislative efforts on the following initiatives. Detailed information about these programs and policies can be found on our Public policy briefs page.
Invest in resilient communities.
- Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative
Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative encourages our affiliates to serve more families in need and to create more resilient and sustainable communities by expanding our home construction model. This new model includes new product lines, innovative repairs, rehabilitation and energy efficiency programs.
Maintain federal resources that support the work of Habitat affiliates nationwide.
Several federal programs have the potential to provide critical resources that support the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative:
- Corporation for National and Community Service
CNCS’ AmeriCorps and VISTA programs provide both capacity-building support to Habitat affiliates and direct services to the communities they serve. AmeriCorps members have been particularly successful at recruiting, training and leading Habitat volunteers. In the 2008–2009 program year, approximately 500 Habitat AmeriCorps members will help build 2,000 houses and recruit, train and lead 200,000 community volunteers, providing an estimated 1,600,000 volunteer hours.
- National Housing Trust Fund and Capital Magnet Fund
The National Housing Trust Fund and Capital Magnet Fund were authorized to provide resources to support production of affordable housing. Unfortunately, contributions from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were suspended indefinitely in November 2008. Congress should identify a viable funding stream to provide communities with the tools needed to address current community development challenges.
- Self-Help and Assisted Homeownership Opportunity Program
The Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program is a unique approach to low-income homeownership that utilizes “sweat equity” and volunteer labor. Habitat uses SHOP funds to purchase land and make infrastructure improvements, primarily in support of new construction.
- Section 4 Capacity Building
Section 4 provides grants and loan investment to local nonprofit development organizations. Habitat affiliates use these funds to build the staffing, skills and systems to maximize their impact on local communities.
Create tenure security.
- Return Shelter to the U.S. Development Agenda
As Congress works to reauthorize the Foreign Assistance Act, particular attention should be given to the importance of adequate shelter to achieving the full spectrum of U.S. development assistance goals. For example, tenure security—the ability to live in a place without fear of eviction—provides an important foundation to increase economic growth, address political and economic inequalities and reduce poverty in developing countries.
- Ask the House of Representatives to cosponsor the SLUM Assistance Act (H.R. 1702)
The SLUM Assistance Act would direct the president to develop a strategy to foster urban management and sustainable urban development; increase security of tenure; expand access to basic affordable housing, essential services and infrastructure for the poor; and promote innovative programs to improve slums.
- Ask the Senate to weigh in with the Foreign Relations Committee in support of shelter issues
Senators are encouraged to contact Senator Kerry and Senator Lugar to request that shelter-related issues, such as tenure security, be addressed in the context of reauthorization of the Foreign Assistance Act. The SLUM Assistance Act is a good example of legislation providing renewed focus on shelter issues.