ADVOCATE

All Iowans deserve to have a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home. Unfortunately, more than 1 in 8 central Iowa households spend half or more of their income on housing. That means they face tough choices between housing and healthcare, nutritious food, education, transportation, and more.

Greater Des Moines Habitat believes that homeownership is key to building stronger families, neighborhoods, and communities in central Iowa.  We work on a variety of housing policies at the local, state and federal levels to expand the opportunity of homeownership for central Iowans. We educate policy makers, local leaders, and the public on the importance of homeownership and craft solutions to help central Iowans achieve homeownership.

Through Habitat’s Cost of Home advocacy campaign, we’re committed to finding solutions, not just in Iowa, but across the country to ensure that everyone can afford the cost of home.

We welcome your voice as Habitat brings together community, partner families, and volunteers to guide community leaders and policymakers to make informed decisions about policies affecting affordable homeownership. To learn more about Habitat’s advocacy and policy efforts and how you can be involved, contact Government Relations and Advocacy Manager Rachel Ong at rachelong@gdmhabitat.org.

Habitat for Humanity affiliates gather annually at the Iowa Capitol for Habitat’s Day at the Capitol to meet in person with Iowa legislators on Habitat’s state priorities. In 2022, affiliates, partner families, advocates, and staff from across the state met with Governor Kim Reynolds, Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, and nearly 40 legislators to share Habitat’s mission and affordable homeownership initiatives.

Habitat’s Day at the Capitol will be Thursday, February 2, 2023. Interested in attending? Contact Rachel Ong at rachelong@gdmhabitat.org.