In Indiana, 1 in 9 households spends more than half their income on housing.
Building more homes helps, but it's not enough on its own.
That's why Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County works to change the policies and systems that make affordable housing so hard to access in the first place. Habitat meets with city council members, testifies at public hearings, partners with similar organizations and organizes community members to push for policies that make homeownership possible for more families here in St. Joseph County.
More homes in more places.
Easing zoning restrictions so affordable housing can be built in the neighborhoods where families want to live.
A fairer path to ownership. Expanding down payment assistance programs and fighting to eliminate barriers to homeownership.
Homes that stay affordable. Supporting critical repair programs and property tax relief so families can stay in their homes long-term.
Here's what that work looks like in practice:
At the end of the day, advocacy at Habitat comes down to a simple belief: every person deserves access to safe, affordable housing. Sometimes that means picking up a hammer. Sometimes it means making the case to lawmakers and elected officials until the belief becomes policy.