Advocacy
Advocating for improved housing policies so everyone has a decent place to live
Habitat for Humanity seeks a world in which everyone has a decent place to live. Building is part of the solution. But that’s not enough. In addition to lifting our hammers, we have the ability – and, now more than ever, the responsibility – to promote sustainable and inclusive policy solutions, ensuring everyone has access to adequate and affordable housing. Billions of people in the United States still struggle to afford the cost of home. Soaring rents and home prices have led to a substantial rise in housing cost burdens. In the U.S. alone, more than 18 million households – or 1 in 6 families – spend more than half of their income on housing. Many renters face having to choose between paying for housing or for food, medical care or other essential expenses. Aspiring homebuyers are increasingly priced out of the housing market, setting back efforts to close homeownership gaps for households of color. This is unacceptable.
At Habitat for Humanity, we advocate to change policies and systems in the United States and internationally to eliminate barriers to adequate and affordable housing.
CHAPA Regional Meeting Series Co-Sponsors
CHAPA is a statewide housing advocacy organization, and this year SS Habitat is serving as a co-sponsor to ensure that there is representation from all across our region.
Each year, CHAPA convenes stakeholders from across the housing ecosystem to learn directly from those doing the work on the ground. This is an opportunity to share your experiences about what is working, what can improve, and what CHAPA should prioritize in the coming year.
These sessions are free and open to all. The South Shore/South Coast Regional meeting will be held at Massasoit Community College on
October 28th from 11am-1pm. You can learn more and register below. If you have any questions, please reach out to Lily Linke, CHAPA's Director of Municipal Engagement at llinke@chapa.org
ROAD to Housing Act
In October 2025, the Senate passed the landmark ROAD to Housing Act!
This bipartisan package, led by Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott (R-SC) and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), is a meaningful first step in boosting housing supply and affordability, reducing regulatory barriers and enhancing program oversight and coordination. As the first major federal housing package in over a decade, it includes more than 10 proposals that Habitat has shaped, endorsed and actively supported over the last few years.
The ROAD to Housing Act, as well as enhancements to the CDFI Fund, passed the Senate as amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act, a must-pass annual military authorization bill.
Habitat is excited to see housing get strong, bipartisan attention in Congress, and we commit to continuing to encourage the forward movement of proposals focused on affordable homeownership in the House and Senate packages.
Cost of Home Campaign
The Cost of Home campaign, launched in 2019, is a five-year advocacy plan led by local and state Habitat for Humanity organizations, partners, volunteers and community members across the United States. We are proud to be working together with Habitat affiliates across the nation, so that 10 million people can have access to an affordable home.
In its fifth and final year, Cost of Home has already helped
6.6 million people access stable, affordable homes through our advocacy to influence
more than 300 policies at the local, state and federal levels.
Learn More
Click the graphic below to learn more about how Habitat center's advocacy in our work.
