Advocating for improved housing policies so everyone has a decent place to live

Advocacy means supporting and promoting a cause you believe in.

At Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County, we advocate to change policies and systems locally, in the State of Florida, and nationally to eliminate barriers to adequate and affordable housing.

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Building is part of the solution. But that’s not enough. In addition to lifting our hammers, we have the ability – and, now more than ever, the responsibility – to promote sustainable and inclusive policy solutions, ensuring everyone has access to adequate and affordable housing.

Rising to the Challenge of Affordable Homeownership in Florida

In Florida, 2.4 million low-income households are cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of their income on housing. 30% is the maximum amount considered affordable by experts. Over half of these households, or nearly 1.5 million, are severely cost-burdened and spend more than 50% of their income towards housing costs. This makes it nearly impossible to save for retirement or emergencies and difficult to afford other necessities like food and childcare. In addition, Florida faces a shortage in affordable housing production for low income buyers. In 2022, the underproduction gap was approximately 244,000 housing
units statewide.

Habitat for Humanity Helps

Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Florida bring people together to build homes, communities and hope. 47 affiliates in the state,
all separately incorporated nonprofit organizations, take on the challenge of building new homes, substantially rehabbing existing homes, and completing critical repairs and weatherization for income-qualified individuals and families, including
veterans. Habitat affiliates in Florida are also pioneering new building methods and innovations in the construction of smaller
homes, townhomes, quads, and duplexes to keep up with the growing housing crisis. These new homes are financed with an
affordable (no more than 30% of a buyers gross income) mortgage.

From July 2024 to June 2025, Habitat for Humanity affiliates built 649 new homes and helped make critical repairs to 626
more! This past year we helped over 1,200 families and have helped over 30,000 families in our state’s Habitat history. With
affiliates in 49 Florida counties, there is a Habitat team making a difference in a community near you!

Positive Effects of Affordable Homeownership

1. Homeownership is a catalyst to wealth building. Research has shown a correlation between homeownership and increased wealth, and U.S. homeowners have an average net wealth that is 400% higher than that of renters with similar demographics and earnings.
2. Homeownership leads to higher rates of high school graduation and college attendance. Children of low-income homeowners are more likely to graduate from high school and are more likely to complete post-secondary education than children of low-income renters.
3. Decent, affordable housing improves physical and mental health. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified home improvement as one solution for addressing social determinants of health. Improving housing quality improves respiratory health, mental health and reduces the risk of injury.
4. Homeownership promotes civic and social engagement. Homeowners are more likely to vote in local elections and become involved in neighborhood groups than renters in comparable neighborhoods.
5. Affordable, sustainable homes reduce energy consumption and costs. Habitat’s energy-efficient designs and repair improvements generate financial savings for homeowners by lowering utility costs, which are typically the second greatest monthly expense after mortgage payments.

Sources: Habitat for Humanity International Production Data, The Florida Housing Coalition 2025 Home Matters Report, Habitat for Humanity International. (2020). What are the benefits of homeownership?
 

Owning a home is the key to building stability and wealth. Yet, with skyrocketing home prices, millions of Americans are locked out of the dream of homeownership. 

With hundreds of policy successes, we know how to impact affordable housing at the local, state and federal levels. Habitat uses our expert resources, research and proven practices to call on policymakers and advocate for home affordability. 

But we can’t do it without you. Join us to help ensure everyone has a chance to own a safe, affordable home. Every voice matters – especially yours.

We advocate to:

• Increase the supply of homes for low- and moderate-income homebuyers.
• Expand access to homeownership for people of all backgrounds.
• Keep homes affordable and livable long term, ensuring homeowner resilience.

Habitat also supports policies that improve a variety of housing issues in the U.S. and around the world, as well as those that empower nonprofits like Habitat to pursue their mission.

Read our national policy platform (PDF) to learn more about our advocacy strategies and priorities.

Increasing the supply of homes for low- and moderate-income homebuyers

There is not enough housing supply for low- and moderate-income homebuyers. To expand homeownership opportunities for households of all backgrounds, we advocate for policies that increase affordable homes.

How? We advocate for policymakers to act, including:

• Funding building and preservation of affordable homes.
• Selling public land to affordable home builders.
• Easing zoning restrictions for developments with affordable homes.

read more at habitat.org