Make Your Voice Heard: Join in the Call for Affordable Homeownership
A record shortage of starter homes across the U.S. is driving up housing costs - causing many families to face extremely difficult choices between housing and other basic needs - and pushing the dream of homeownership out of reach for hard-working neighbors and first-time homebuyers nationwide.
Add your voice to the nationwide advocacy that is working to ensure everyone has an affordable place to call home. Click below to use Habitat for Humanity's template to easily email your members of Congress.
Voice your support for legislation that creates affordable housing!
Contact your State Representative and let them know you support affordable housing-friendly legislation! There are currently two House Bills making their way through the state legislature that, if passed, would make meaningful steps toward increasing housing availability, reducing barriers to development, and expanding affordable homeownership opportunities in Lucas County and across Ohio.
House Bill 765
HB 765 modifies Ohio's affordable single-family home tax credit program.
We support HB 765 because it would:
- Increase production of affordable homes by strengthening incentives for investment in affordable single-family housing development.
- Expand homeownership opportunities for working families, first-time homebuyers, veterans, and seniors struggling to afford rising housing costs.
- Support community stability by helping more Ohio families build equity and long-term financial security through homeownership.
- Leverage public-private partnerships that encourages nonprofits, builders, lenders, and local communities to work together to address housing shortages.
- Help close Ohio's housing gap by making it more financially feasible to develop homes that are attainable for middle and lower income families.
- Create economic ripple effects through construction activity, neighborhood revitalization, and increased local tax bases.
Affordable homeownership remains out of reach for many Ohioans due to rising construction costs, interest rates, and limited housing inventory. HB 765 helps create the financial tools necessary to increase the supply of affordable homes statewide.
House Bill 361
HB 361 addresses building inspections, local regulations, and zoning processes.
We support HB 361 because it would:
- Reduce unnecessary regulatory delays that slow the construction of affordable housing projects.
- Create greater consistency and predictability in local development and permitting processes across Ohio communities.
- Lower development costs by streamlining approvals and reducing duplicative or inconsistent local requirements.
- Accelerate construction timelines so families can move into homes more quickly.
- Promote responsible housing growth while maintaining health and safety standards.
- Increase housing supply statewide, which is critical to improving affordability for Ohio families.
Ohio faces a significant shortage of attainable housing. Streamlining the regulatory and permitting process can help nonprofit builders like Habitat for Humanity stretch limited resources further and build more homes for families in need.
Habitat on the Hill
Habitat’s annual legislative conference, Habitat on the Hill, convenes advocates representing all aspects of Habitat’s mission together in Washington D.C., for three days of intensive discussions, training sessions, networking and direct advocacy opportunities to their members of Congress.
2026 Conference: February 10-12
(Stay tuned for information on the 2027 conference!)
Drawing on the wealth of experience from the Habitat network and the insights of external housing experts, learning sessions are designed to empower attendees with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to enact policy and system changes through effective advocacy. Attendees leave empowered to build and sustain stronger, healthier and more resilient communities.
To learn more about Habitat on the Hill visit: https://www.habitat.org/about/advocacy/habitat-on-the-hill
Interested in attending Habitat on the Hill? Contact Caroline Guy at [email protected] or (419) 382-1964 ext. 140
