During this time of social distancing and COVID-19, Habitat for Humanity is still hard at work, pursuing many avenues to move forward our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
As we follow the guidance of public health officials to safeguard our volunteers and the families we serve, we have paused our build activities around the world and our travel schedules. We have immediately exchanged our hammers for headsets, and we carry on in many very crucial ways. Just a few examples:
- We are still using our voices to passionately advocate for affordable housing and to help bring awareness to the role that housing plays in health, education, financial stability and the viability of thriving communities. We have activated our network, knowing that in the days and months ahead, our collective advocacy will play an important role in ensuring necessary support for our homeowners and community residents financially impacted by the current crisis and in sustaining Habitat’s work of building alongside families.
- We have shared with the U.S. Congress recommendations for immediate solutions to inform their conversations and stimulus work. These recommendations, developed with local Habitat input, include mortgage forbearance for families, grants to nonprofits lenders to enable payment forbearance, a national moratorium on foreclosures and evictions, and more. We are encouraging our advocates to continue to engage with local and state governments on similar issues.
- We have joined many peer organizations and InterAction, the largest alliance of international NGOs and partners in the United States, to urge the Appropriations Committees in the U.S. Congress to consider additional funds for USAID’s economic support fund, International Disaster Assistance and Migration and Refugee Assistance Fund, USDA for food assistance, ensuring State Department and USAID staff safety, expedited hiring for USAID, transfer of funds within the State Department where necessary, and extending FY20 appropriations to ensure agencies can invest wisely without disruption to facilitate an adequate response.
- We have signed onto a letter from the National Council of Nonprofits and a letter from leading U.S. organizations urging Congress to provide relief for nonprofits. The nonprofit community — so important every day — will only be even more crucial in the days to come.
- We have affirmed the the Horasis Declaration, committing to principled leadership in times of disruption. We know all too well that crises in the past have often opened the door to oppression, and we strongly affirm that “facing perhaps the biggest test to humankind and the future of our planet, it will be up to principled government and business leaders to lead society to favourable, democratic resolutions.”
- A significant number of our staff at headquarters, our area offices, national organizations and U.S. affiliates are working remotely, both taking care of timely business needs in light of unfolding events and also keeping momentum on longer-term efforts and projects. We continue to connect virtually for meetings, planning sessions and trainings within Habitat and also with our partners and the organizations with which we work so closely.
- Every day, on our social media channels and this website, we celebrate the global community that is Habitat for Humanity. We have known the determination and commitment of families, volunteers and supporters for more than 40 years. This important fuel for our mission feeds us now more than ever.
The future is never promised, although it often can easily feel that way when things are going according to plan. May the turbulence of these days bind us to each other and to our shared mission, which is more important now than it ever has been. Together, we are better. Together, we will get through this. And together, we will build back.
Source: habitatmetrodenver
