Raise our voices
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Join the movement of Habitat supporters advocating for affordable homeownership and building stronger communities in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and throughout the nation
In our region and across the country, there is a severe shortage of affordable homes that is making homeownership out of reach for millions of families and first-time homebuyers. Decades of discriminatory housing policies and practices have also prevented poor families, especially Black and other families of color, from owning a decent home where they can build stability and wealth.
Habitat DC-NOVA believes that we should eliminate barriers to affordable housing, address the pervasive legacies of unfair housing practices, and make homeownership accessible to all. We partner with housing organizations, governments, and supporters to work towards these objectives.
Here in the nation’s capital, volunteers have a unique opportunity to be a hands-on advocate for Habitat DC-NOVA at the local, state and national levels. Advocates support Habitat DC-NOVA’s work by urging elected officials and community members in D.C., Virginia, and our federal government to support policies that increase the supply, accessibility and resilience of affordable homes.
© Habitat for Humanity International/Raymond McCrea Jones
What is advocacy?
Advocacy is a power tool in driving change in our communities. Through advocacy, we can support and promote causes we care about.
At Habitat, we advocate to change policies and systems to eliminate barriers to affordable housing. In addition to swinging our hammers, we have the ability to promote sustainable and inclusive policy solutions by lifting our voices.
We advocate for:
- Streamlining housing development approval processes and zoning barriers to increase housing supply generally and for affordable housing development in particular
- Increasing funding for affordable homeownership development
- Increasing access to homeownership for lower income households through down payment assistance and other supportive resources and subsidies
- Ensuring property taxes are equitable for low-income homeowners
- Garnering resources and supportive policy for home repair and modification programs that preserve existing housing stock, especially for homeownership for low-income families, and improve stability for existing homeowners
In addition to these policies, we support the advocacy of Habitat for Humanity International and Habitat Virginia to increase affordable housing at the state and national level.
Find out more about how the Habitat for Humanity network collectively advocates for safe, decent and affordable housing in the U.S. and around the world
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Advocating for affordable homes requires all of us – especially you!
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Policies & solutions we’ve advocated for
AmeriCorps Program
In 2025, we worked to mobilized supporters to share the importance of the AmeriCorps program and continuing funding for it to their members of Congress
Missing Middle in Arlington County
We commented on proposed amendments to Arlington County’s zoning policies to provide housing to middle-income families facing severe shortages.
Workforce Dwelling in Fairfax County
We weighed in on proposed policy changes to Fairfax County’s Workforce Dwelling Unit Program.
Yes In My Back Yard Act
We joined a coalition in support of the YIMBY Act to federal policymakers to eliminate exclusionary housing policies and zoning and density restrictions.
