Public Policy -- Habitat for Humanity Int'l

Public Policy

Habitat for Humanity’s mission is to provide simple, decent housing for those otherwise unable to afford it. Recent studies have shown that the potential benefits of homeownership include increased household wealth, improved physical and mental health, better cognitive achievement in children, and residents more active in the community. In light of this growing evidence, Habitat for Humanity examines local and national policies to determine how they can be enhanced or changed to provide increased access to affordable housing, and thus improve the lives of low-income people in the United States and around the world.

Below is a list of public policy briefs and resources. If you would like more information about our public policy work, please contact Susan Corts Hill at shill@habitat.org.

Public Policy Briefs:

Homeownership Development Tax Credit
Habitat for Humanity International supports new programs that will encourage increased production of affordable housing. Increased production programs could include the development of a tax credit that could be used to stimulate the production of homes for low- and moderate-income homebuyers.

Federal Regulation of Government Sponsored Enterprises
Habitat for Humanity International supports efforts to strengthen federal regulation of the government-sponsored housing enterprises (GSEs) — Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Bank. Since their creation, the GSEs have played a critical role in expanding housing opportunity and, with the appropriate balance of regulation and operational flexibility, even more Americans will benefit from their activities and investments.

Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Habitat for Humanity supports a national affordable housing trust fund as a new source of revenue that will assist in the production of new housing and the preservation or rehabilitation of existing housing that is affordable. Ideally, an affordable trust fund would have a permanent, ongoing source of revenue that is not taken from an existing federal source.

Appropriations: Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Habitat for Humanity International supports federal appropriations that contribute to the effectiveness and capacity of local Habitat affiliates across the country.

Property Rights for Women
Throughout the developing world, women tend to work in the lowest paid sectors, have less stable incomes, work longer hours, have less access to training and education, and have fewer economic opportunities including the ability or right to own property. In fact, women own less than 15 percent of land worldwide.

Reform of U.S. Domestic Disaster Recovery Policy

Habitat for Humanity International supports efforts to improve the U.S. government’s response to disasters in the United States and around the world. In general, HFHI supports “community-based” disaster response policies that help people stay as close as possible to their homes, families and communities in both the short-term disaster response and the long-term disaster recovery.

Predatory Lending

Habitat for Humanity strongly supports expanding financial literacy and homeownership counseling programs that teach consumers responsible borrowing practices.

Public Policy Resources:

HUD User
http://www.huduser.org/

GAO
http://www.gao.gov/docsearch/repandtest.html

Brookings
http://www.brookings.edu/metro/metro.htm

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