The economic turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the past year exposed an already fragile housing infrastructure, created new home affordability challenges for many and exacerbated existing problems for those who were already struggling.

Although the impact of the economic fallout continues to unfold and the need for safe, affordable housing has grown, Habitat for Humanity has seen considerable gains in housing policy and legislation that helps increase access for families and individuals. Local, state and federal advocacy efforts over the past two years have led to improved housing opportunities for more than 4 million people across the U.S., a milestone benchmarked by the global housing nonprofit’s Cost of Home advocacy campaign.

"As a leader in the housing industry, Habitat will continue to fight for a seat at the table in policy discussions regarding housing affordability,” said Jonathan Reckford, chief executive officer at Habitat for Humanity International. “At a time when uncertainty and instability are profound, our message has never been more important. I’m proud of our local Habitat organizations, partners, volunteers and community members for making this milestone possible, but our work is not done. While there are families in the U.S. who still spend more than 30% of their income on housing, policymakers must continue to prioritize housing."

As the campaign moves closer toward its target of increasing home affordability for 10 million people, local and state Habitat organizations will continue to advocate for policies that increase the supply and preservation of affordable homes, increase access to credit, optimize land use for affordable homes, and ensure access to and development of communities of opportunity.

At the federal level, Cost of Home is focused on ensuring that significant housing investments, such as the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act and the Restoring Communities Left Behind Act, are priorities for an economic recovery and infrastructure package.

To underscore the importance of partnership and coalition building in advocating for home affordability, Habitat has gathered housing experts, advocates, business leaders and policymakers for a virtual discussion on the national shift toward creating more long-term housing solutions.

The event, +You: Advocating for home affordability, will address the increasing momentum for policy solutions to address supply and preservation of homes; equitable access to credit; optimized land use for affordable homes; and access to and development of communities of opportunity. Panelists will also highlight local, state and federal policy advances and wins made through the campaign. The event will take place June 14 at 4:00 p.m. EDT.

For more information on the Cost of Home campaign and how to get involved, visit habitat.org/costofhome.