Bridging the Gap: Habitat for Humanity Advocates for Affordable Housing Funding in Washington, D.C.

Local representatives from Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity made a trip to Washington, D.C., urging lawmakers to allocate funds for affordable housing projects in the region. They highlighted their track record, having received $775,000 from the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program since 2015, enabling them to construct five homes. However, with a pressing need for more, the Habitat for Humanity chapter proposed requesting $2.4 billion in funding for the program in the upcoming fiscal year.

Washington to fund affordable housing projects — In July 2022, the selected homeowners are nearly settled in the homes constructed by Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity at 113-117 Jackson St. in Holyoke. This week, representatives from the organization journeyed to Washington to advocate for increased funding for programs aimed at expanding affordable housing, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to addressing housing needs. (Photo by Don Treeger / The Republican)

Joined by other Habitat for Humanity members, the group advocated for various policy initiatives, including the bipartisan Neighborhood Homes Investment Act. Aimee Giroux, the executive director of the local chapter, expressed the severity of the housing situation, emphasizing the dire need for action.

Citing data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the group highlighted the income disparity in Massachusetts, where the average required income for a two-bedroom home exceeds the median income for many families in Western Massachusetts. The region also faces a shortage of over 175,000 affordable rental homes for extremely low-income renters, according to the coalition’s report.

Giroux shared a specific case in Holyoke, where it cost $300,000 to develop a home, but the prospective family could only afford a $150,000 mortgage. She stressed the importance of funding to bridge the gap between development costs and what families can afford.

The local chapter, having received federal funding in the past, recounted their success in helping families become homeowners and contributing to veterans’ housing projects and rural initiatives. As a new legislative session begins, the team plans to engage with members of Massachusetts’ delegation, including U.S. Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, as well as U.S. Rep. Richard Neal.

Acknowledging the challenge of securing funds for the western part of the state, Giroux highlighted collaborations with the Western Massachusetts Housing Coalition and Way Finders to facilitate the allocation of more funding. Despite previous virtual advocacy during the pandemic, the group emphasized the impact of in-person engagement, aiming to make their voices heard by policymakers.

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