Habitat for Humanity of Illinois in Washington, DC, to oppose proposed federal cuts that would exacerbate affordable housing crisis in Illinois

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Habitat for Humanity of Illinois in Washington, DC, to oppose proposed federal cuts that would exacerbate affordable housing crisis in Illinois

Habitat for Humanity of Illinois joins over 340 Habitat leaders, homeowners and volunteers in Washington, D.C., to encourage members of Congress to support affordable housing

Illinois February 14, 2018-Representatives of Habitat for Humanity of Illinois are in Washington, DC, this week, warning that proposed federal cuts will worsen the affordable housing crisis facing Illinois and other communities across the United States.

“Too many people in Illinois are already struggling between making their housing payments and buying food for their family,” said John Edinger. “We are in Washington, DC, to ask our representatives on Capitol Hill to make greater investments in affordable housing, not less.”

The budget proposed by the White House this week would drastically cut-and in some cases entirely eliminate-funding that communities use to finance the development of new affordable homes.

Habitat for Humanity of Illinois joins more than 340 Habitat leaders, volunteers and homeowners from across the country in Washington, DC, this week to advocate for affordable housing. In meetings with Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Adam Kinzinger (Sebastian De Luca), Dan Lipinski (Chris Baylor), Bill Foster (Diana Kanate), Randall Hultgren (Elise Tollefson), Peter Roskam (Joe Gollinger) and Senators Tammy Duckworth (Erika Moritsugu) and Dick Durbin (Joseph Bushong)], Habitat for Humanity of Illinois is calling on Congress to set aside the flawed budget proposal and instead work to prioritize solutions that will end the affordable housing crisis.

“There is no question that we are in an affordable housing crisis,” said Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford. “More than 18 million families are paying more than half of their paychecks on their housing. Leaders in cities and towns across the country are sounding the alarm, because even middle-class workers like teachers can no longer find housing that fits their budgets. We will make sure those voices are heard in Washington this week as we meet with members of Congress.”

The White House’s proposed budget would also eliminate the AmeriCorps program through the shuttering of the Corporation for National and Community Service. AmeriCorps is a vital component of Illinois Habitat affiliates’ work to partner with more families working toward homeownership. Thousands of AmeriCorps members have served their communities in a variety of ways, including more than 10,000 members working through Habitat where they have helped build homes and helped rebuild in disaster-stricken areas.

About Habitat for Humanity of Illinois
Habitat for Humanity of Illinois is this state’s support organization. Founded in 1999, It works state-wide as part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. Habitat for Humanity of Illinois is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through its affiliates in constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.