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Habitat for Humanity

   Written by on September 16, 2020 at 3:51 pm

Dear Editor,

Thank you for all you do to support the mission of Piedmont Habitat for Humanity as we unite in serving our neighbors in need of safe, decent, affordable housing.  

Although Covid-19 creates certain restrictions with our mission, such as the need to temporarily suspend build-site volunteering, advocacy is always possible.  Would you consider taking just a moment to use your voice in supporting the mission?  If so, we ask that you consider contacting your members of the State Senate and House of Delegates and share your support for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund.  

From the website for the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development- “The Virginia Housing Trust Fund (VHTF) creates and preserves affordable housing and reduces homelessness in the Commonwealth. The VHTF approach addresses housing issues in varied and creative methods for a variety of populations, including:
-Families and individuals who cannot afford decent, safe housing;
-Disabled persons needing accessible housing in addition to supportive services;
-Homeless persons struggling with mental health and other issues.”

Governor Northam has proposed $85 million for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund for the next two years. It is similar to his proposal in his budget this winter. It passed then, but was set aside because of the epidemic.  The General Assembly is back in session, so the next 2-3 weeks are a crucial time for contacting them with your support.  If you need to know who your state representatives are, you can get that information here-  https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/

Below are some talking points that you may share (choose 1 or 2) when you leave your message of support.

Thank you for all you do and for considering using your voice for advocacy.  These funds help individuals and families with their housing needs and allow organizations such as Habitat access to funding to help make that possible.

If you have any questions, please give me a call.

Sam Rabon

Director of Resource

Development and Marketing Piedmont Habitat for

Humanity

434-394-3001 ext. 200

www.piedmonthabitat.org

Talking points about Virginia Housing Trust Fund

The Governor has proposed $85 million for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund in the next two years. We hope you will support that.

Here are some of the reasons:

As you know, the housing need in our community is great. Locally, a major study done by the United Way shows that half of the households in our community do not earn enough each month to meet the needs of a Household Survival Budget.  Housing is often the largest expense in that budget, so the more that can be done to access affordable housing, the greater the impact will be on budgets. 

These funds will help with affordable rentals and affordable home ownership

Housing non-profits will get a lot of leverage out of these funds.

In the case of Habitat affiliates, we combine private donations, the value of volunteer labor, and homeowner mortgage payments with any government funds we are able to get. We can make taxpayer funds go a long way in our communities.

We help hard-working low-income families become homeowners. This provides stability for their families and tax base for the community. (For some legislators you might want to avoid the term low-income and refer to “essential employees, such as certified nursing assistants or police officers.”)

The percentage of families that own homes is still lower than it was before the last recession. And the rate of African American homeownership is almost at a 50 year low.

The Commonwealth is providing other funds for eviction prevention and foreclosure prevention related to the epidemic. This funding for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund will allow us to look forward, as well as just trying to prevent a worsening of the housing situation.

We help Virginia residents of modest means build wealth through homeownership. This helps grow economic stability for both the family and the Commonwealth and provides tax income for the locality. Essential employees – law enforcement, teachers, health care workers – are all facing severe challenges accessing affordable homeownership. This also presents a problem for regional employers, especially those trying to recruit and retain talented staff.

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