Habitat for Humanity calls for unity and support for critical housing needs as President Biden and Vice President Harris are sworn into office
ATLANTA (Jan. 20, 2021) – Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford issued the following statement:
“As President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., and Vice President Kamala D. Harris take office today, Habitat for Humanity calls on Congress and the administration to come together and urgently address the critical housing needs of far too many families. Our nation and people around the world are depending on bipartisan leadership to build a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat for Humanity stands ready to partner with them to achieve that vision.
“As the nation moves forward, we acknowledge the hard work that lies ahead in reuniting the country and repairing the social and economic upheaval and distress that has so pained the nation in the past year. We eagerly anticipate opportunities to work with our nation’s leaders on bipartisan policy solutions that will bridge the divides, and help strengthen communities across the U.S., and abroad.
“The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare just how critical home is – it’s not possible to shelter in place without a safe and decent one. We are encouraged that as one of President Biden’s first actions, he will sign an executive order extending eviction and foreclosure protections. This action must be coupled with substantial housing payment assistance for both low-income renters and homeowners, building on the support Congress passed in December.
“Further, the impact the pandemic has had on communities of color in the United States is an especially poignant reminder of how much work needs to be done to eradicate the systems that foster generational poverty, job and housing insecurity. We urge our leaders to forge a path toward healing, and work to eliminate historic barriers to housing so that it is more accessible and affordable for everyone. In this effort, we remain deeply committed to creating and finding policy solutions that will increase access to housing affordability through our U.S. advocacy campaign, Cost of Home, as well as meet housing needs around the world.”
About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S., and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.