Sussex Habitat team meets with federal legislators
To advocate for new affordable housing legislation at the federal level, representatives from Sussex County Habitat for Humanity traveled Feb. 12 to Washington, D.C., to meet with Delaware legislators and other housing advocates on Capitol Hill.
Sussex Habitat CEO Kevin Gilmore and Ricky Pollitt, director of development, met with Sen. Chris Coons, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester and Rep. Sarah McBride to discuss a variety of issues ranging from support for different housing initiatives to requests for funding for specific programs.
“We’re blessed to live in a state where our representatives take the time to hear our concerns and then work with us to develop an action plan,” Pollitt said. “Housing is an issue no one can ignore, and we will continue to call on our elected officials to implement policies that create more affordable opportunities and allow Delawareans to find a safe and decent place to call home.”
Gilmore and Pollitt were joined by Delaware Habitat representatives including New Castle CEO Kevin Smith, and Central Delaware CEO Tim Bailey and COO Chrissy Kyress. More than 500 Habitat for Humanity staffers and advocates across the country met with representatives from their respective states.
The Delawareans called on both chambers to advance and pass a final package on the ROAD to Housing Act (S. 2651) and the Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644). They advocated for robust funding to be provided for the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and the USDA Section 502 Direct Loan Program, all of which support affordable homeownership. They requested support for the Homeownership Supply Accelerator that would address the lack of supply of starter homes across the country.
The three Delaware Habitat groups were recently awarded just over $3 million, collectively, in congressionally directed spending, with all funding to go toward affordable homeownership.
“We appreciate the support our leaders continue to provide and look forward to the continued collaboration to find new, innovative ways to combat this housing crisis,” Pollitt said.
