Monroe County Habitat for Humanity calls on Pennsylvania’s congressional members to take action on the affordable housing crisis

The dwindling supply of affordable starter homes across America is a crisis that denies millions of families the foundation for stability and opportunity, while straining communities and hindering economic growth.

In response, Habitat for Humanity is stepping up to advocate for bold solutions, many of which will be highlighted this week at Habitat on the Hill, the organization’s annual legislative event.

This week, Monroe County Habitat for Humanity will join hundreds of local Habitat organizations and housing advocates in a united call to Congress: It’s time to address the housing crisis with urgency.

Monroe County Habitat for Humanity will urge members of Congress to invest in both new and existing solutions to meaningfully expand the supply of starter homes:

• Support the Homeownership Supply Accelerator, Habitat’s innovative federal policy concept designed to rapidly increase construction and rehabilitation of affordable starter homes.

• Finalize the fiscal year 2025 appropriations process and provide robust funding for housing and community development federal programs in the fiscal year 2026 budget, including.

• Department of Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD Bill):

• No less than $20 million for the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program.

• No less than $1.5 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

• Department of Agriculture (Ag-Rural Development Bill):

• No less than $1.25 billion for the USDA Section 502 Direct Loan Program.

In Monroe County, the lack of affordable homes isn’t just a statistic, it’s a daily reality for families. These challenges exist nationwide, and current programs, while critical, are not enough. To that end, Habitat for Humanity helped to develop the Homeownership Supply Accelerator, a new federal fund designed to regrow the nation’s stock of starter homes in every community that needs them, at prices affordable to low- and moderate-income homebuyers.

Regrowing the nation’s stock of starter homes will expand families’ economic security and stability; enable more businesses to attract and retain essential workers; strengthen economic growth; stabilize distressed neighborhoods and help close our nation’s racial and economic wealth divides.

We build strength, stability, self-reliance and shelter.

Every day, we see families that still can’t afford a safe, stable home.

Raising our voices is just as important as swinging our hammers when it comes to addressing the affordable housing crisis, and we look forward to working alongside lawmakers to ensure more people have a place to call home.