An affordable home impacts everything, from strengthening our families to contributing to our region's economic prosperity. Unfortunately, too many of our neighbors lack access to a stable place to live, often forgoing basic necessities like food and health care to make ends meet. The Twin Cities is facing an affordable housing crisis as housing costs continue to rise while wages stay flat. Across the region, 46% of renter households pay too much for housing. It is harder to afford a home now than at any other time in recent memory.

On April 29, 112 Housing Heroes from seven Habitat affiliates across the state and Habitat Minnesota gathered at the Capitol to advocate for affordable housing at  Habitat on the Hill.

What do you think about when you hear the word advocacy? For some people, advocacy might sound broad, unfamiliar, and even intimidating. Twin Cities Habitat thinks of advocacy as an important tool we can use to help achieve our mission to eliminate poverty housing from the Twin Cities and to make decent, affordable shelter for all people a matter of conscience. But what is advocacy, and how does it help Habitat work towards our goals?

The 2019 legislative session officially began on Tuesday, January 8, and Habitat is gearing up for an eventful and exciting term advancing affordable housing policies at the state level.

It has been a busy time for city budget decisions in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and Twin Cities Habitat Housing Heroes have used these opportunities to advocate for affordable housing at the local level.