Advocacy at Habitat

Join us in advocating for affordable homeownership in the Greater Rochester area.

What is Advocacy?

Habitat for Humanity defines advocacy as changing policies and systems to eliminate barriers to adequate, affordable housing in order to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

In other words, while not visible like homes themselves, laws, regulations and rules about land and building are a major part of housing. Smart policies and systems can promote access to decent housing, while other policies and systems may create unnecessary barriers, making it harder than it needs to be to find land for construction, build the home itself or be able to afford a place to live. The essence of advocacy is not accepting shortcomings in current policy, but rather working to shape it in a way that supports people in need of adequate housing.

Why is Advocacy Important?

In New York State over one third of households spend over 30% of their income on housing.


Our community is grappling with severe housing shortages, limited opportunities for first-time homebuyers, rising property taxes, and increasingly unaffordable housing costs.


By promoting policies and initiatives that prioritize homeownership, we can address the growing housing crisis, help break the cycle of poverty and provide families with the stability they need to thrive.



Greater Rochester Habitat's Legislative Agenda

Expand federal support for affordable housing across the U.S. 


Habitat U.S. has identified three public policy pillars that will guide our efforts to influence change at the national level in 2025: 


• Increase affordable homeownership supply: Record high home prices are primarily driven by a record low supply of for-sale homes – particularly affordable, entry-level “starter” homes. Habitat will advocate for policies aimed at lowering the costs and barriers to affordable single-family home construction. 

 

• Ensure equitable homeownership access: Access to decent, affordable homes remains limited in rural areas and communities of color, leaving millions of low-income households out of rising economic prosperity. Habitat will advocate for policies that equitably increase access to credit and favorable home financing. 

 

• Improve homeownership resilience: Rising property taxes, insurance premiums, and critical home repair needs all present challenges to maintaining affordability. Habitat will advocate for policies that enable homeowners of all backgrounds to retain their homes and build wealth without the strain of additional cost burden. 

 

For more information on Habitat’s national and international advocacy platform, visit https://www.habitat.org/about/advocacy

Promote long-term affordability by ensuring fair and sustainable taxation of affordable homeownership


NYS’s current property tax system exacerbates affordability challenges for prospective homebuyers and existing homeowners, disproportionately impacting families who qualify for subsidized homeownership. Unfair assessment practices can increase housing cost burden and contribute to housing instability, forcing families to make uncomfortable financial tradeoffs, or to sell their homes entirely. 


Bill A355/S1718 amends NYS’ Real Property Tax Law to allow municipalities to cap the assessment of non-profit housing at the original sales price. This bill would protect low-to-moderate income families against property tax increases, ensuring that homes remain affordable for the duration of homeownership.


Continue to invest in affordable housing and housing preservation


Thousands of families across NYS are shut out of homeownership due to lack of supply and rising costs. Additionally, many current homeowners cannot afford the high costs of repairs and maintenance. The State must prioritize policies that facilitate starter home construction, access to homeownership, and housing preservation, enabling non-profit developers like Habitat to meet the widespread demand.


• Increase investment in starter home production

• Increase down payment assistance for low-to-moderate income, first-time homebuyers

• Invest in the repair and preservation of single-family housing stock

Work with municipalities to facilitate land acquisition 


Persistent delays and bureaucratic inefficiencies put a strain on the ability of non-profit housing developers like Habitat to identify, purchase, and develop vacant lots. Municipalities must work to facilitate land acquisition by: 

• Reserving city-owned lots for non-profit developers 

• Simplifying the approval process for lot purchase 

• Maintaining an up-to-date record of all available lots  

 

Embrace modular homes as an alternative to traditional stick builds 


Modular homes are a cost-effective, efficient way to provide quality single-family housing at scale. Habitat will promote modular construction by: 

• Working with municipalities to streamline approvals for modular construction  

• Educating municipalities and community members on the benefits of modular housing 

• Ensuring that modular housing qualifies for local affordable housing subsidies

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  • What is Habitat for Humanity?

    Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in over 1000 communities across the United States and in approximately 70 countries around the world. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat works toward our vision by building strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with people and families in need of a decent and affordable home.

    Learn more about Habitat for Humanity

  • How does Habitat for Humanity help families?

    People in your community and all over the world partner with Habitat to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.

  • How does Habitat for Humanity homeownership work?

    Families in need of decent, affordable housing apply for homeownership with their local Habitat for Humanity.


    Each local Habitat’s family selection committee selects homeowners based on three criteria:

    • The applicant’s level of need.
    • Their willingness to partner with Habitat.
    • Their ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan.

    As part of their willingness to partner, Habitat’s homebuyers invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, called sweat equity, working alongside volunteers and other Habitat homeowners.


    Habitat for Humanity follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing Habitat’s homeowners.


    Visit our Homeownership page to learn more.

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