Habitat on the Hill
On February 11th and 12th, Habitat for Humanity of Summit County staff joined over 450 advocates from 44 states during the annual legislative conference in Washington, D.C., “Habitat on the Hill”. On day one of the two day conference, HFHSC staff learned about federal legislation and administrative actions that impact our ability to fulfil our mission of building homes, communities and hope in Summit County. Discussing strategies for effective advocacy and engagement with other Habitat affiliate leaders and affordable housing advocates prepared them for day two of the conference, meetings with Ohio representatives. HFH Summit County staff met with David Joyce (OH-14) and legislative aides for both Rep. Emilia Sykes (OH-13) and Sen. Bernie Moreno. They also dropped off folders to the following offices that included a letter describing the impact of any future federal funding freeze would have for our affiliate in Summit County: Rep. Max Miller, Rep. Joyce Beatty, Rep. Warren Davidson, and Sen. John Husted. Topics that were discussed during the three legislative meetings included: HFH Summit County’s previous and current use of federal funds (HOME, CDBG, SHOP, Section 4 Capacity Build, OAHMP); the “Homeownership Supply Accelerator” (an HFH International Advocacy Committee initiative/call to action for Congress to address the lack of supply of starter homes in the U.S.); and impacts of recent legislation, budget appropriation delays, E.O.s and memos (federal funding freeze, tariffs, CFPB, Neighborhood Homes Investment Act, and more). We look forward to continuing our affordable housing advocacy efforts at the state level during Ohio’s Statehouse Advocacy Day in Columbus, scheduled for early May.
Learn more about Habitat on the Hill here: https://www.habitat.org/newsroom/2025/habitat-humanity-calls-lawmakers-invest-new-and-existing-tools-address-affordable
