Homes are built with ballots, too
You know houses are built with 2x4s and nails. Insulation and caulk. Baseboards and drywall. And you probably already know Habitat houses have something extra — neighborly love. But you might not realize that every Habitat house is also built with ballots — including yours! You’re probably reading this because you’ve joined us on our mission to build a world where everyone has a decent place to call home. And one way you can help us build that world is by keeping this vision on your mind when you vote.
The representatives you elect to every office, from your city or town and all the way up to federal positions, help make and decide policies that effect our ability to build a more just and beloved place for us all to live. International trading policy can affect the cost of building supplies. Our state government can control major funding for first-time homebuyers. County legislation can make it easier to find skilled tradespeople by funding training programs. And city governments control regulations and zoning that determine where and what we can build. And the demand for affordable housing has never been higher than now.
The rising cost of land, lack of skilled labor, and burdensome regulatory restrictions have made building affordable homes incredibly difficult in many communities. Those costs get passed on to low- and middle-income families. For many, covering the cost of a safe, decent place to live means sacrificing other basic needs like nutritious food, health care, education opportunities and transportation. In fact, today there is virtually nowhere in the U.S. where a full-time employee earning minimum wage can afford a two-bedroom apartment. This is unacceptable.
We must continue to raise our voices on the need for affordable housing in the Capital District and across the nation to show our elected leaders that they should prioritize policies that will put safe, decent housing in reach for more families.
If you can vote, make your plans now for this coming election. We'll never tell you who to vote for or how to vote, but we do suggest you keep affordable housing on your mind when you mark your ballots. Ask yourself: Which candidates will support policies that help make the cost of home affordable for everyone?
Learn about your voting options (vote by mail or early voting)
More voting resources at vote.org
More things you can do even if you can't vote:
Offer to drive friends and neighbors to the polls or Board of Elections office to help them pick up or drop-off their ballots
Join a call bank for candidates you support
Have conversations with friends and family about voting and share resources with them
Talk about affordable housing with your network, and ask friends to keep affordable housing on their mind when they vote!
Organize and get involved with direct action for causes you care about. Voting is just one important way to help build a world where everyone has a decent place to call home.