FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rochelle Sibbio
Habitat for Humanity of Summit County
330-745-7734
Habitat@hfhsummitcounty.org
Habitat for Humanity of Summit County in Washington, DC, to oppose proposed federal cuts that would exacerbate affordable housing crisis in Akron.
Habitat for Humanity of Summit County joins over 340 Habitat leaders, homeowners and volunteers in Washington, D.C., to encourage members of Congress to support affordable housing.
Akron, OH (February 14, 2018) – CEO and President, Rochelle Sibbio of Habitat for Humanity of Summit County is in Washington, DC, this week, warning that proposed federal cuts will worsen the affordable housing crisis facing Akron and other communities across the United States.
“Too many people in Akron are already struggling between making their housing payments and buying food for their family,” said Rochelle Sibbio, the Habitat for Humanity of Summit County HOTH Representative. “We are in Washington, DC, to ask our representatives on Capitol Hill to make greater investments in affordable housing, not less.”
The budget proposed by the White House this week would drastically cut-and in some cases entirely eliminate-funding that communities use to finance the development of new affordable homes. The Affiliate uses funding from the Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) to build new homes for our Partner Families in Summit County. Habitat for Humanity of Summit County uses the CDBG for their Deconstruction Program and for the exterior home repair program, “A Brush With Kindness.” The White House budget proposal would eliminate those funds entirely.
Habitat for Humanity of Summit County joins more than 340 Habitat leaders, volunteers and homeowners from across the country in Washington, DC, this week to advocate for affordable housing. In meetings with Senator Sherrod Brown and Representative Tim Ryan, Habitat for Humanity of Summit County is calling on Congress to set aside the flawed budget proposal and instead work to prioritize solutions that will end the affordable housing crisis.
“There is no question that we are in an affordable housing crisis,” said Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford. “More than 18 million families are paying more than half of their paychecks on their housing. Leaders in cities and towns across the country are sounding the alarm, because even middle-class workers like teachers can no longer find housing that fits their budgets. We will make sure those voices are heard in Washington this week as we meet with members of Congress.”
The White House’s proposed budget would also eliminate the AmeriCorps program through the shuttering of the Corporation for National and Community Service. AmeriCorps is a vital component of Habitat for Humanity of Summit County’s work to partner with more families working toward homeownership. Habitat for Humanity of Summit County has used AmeriCorp in the past and has applied for three positions this year to help with construction, grant writing and neighborhood revitalization. Thousands of AmeriCorps members have served their communities in a variety of ways, including more than 10,000 members working through Habitat where they have helped build homes and helped rebuild in disaster-stricken areas.
About Habitat for Humanity of Summit County
Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry, works in partnership with people in need to improve the condition in which they live. Habitat challenges people of compassion to provide the initial capital – through gifts and no-interest loans – to build simple, decent homes with the inadequately sheltered. For information about Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, call 330-745-7734.