Advocacy at Habitat

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Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity advocates on the federal, state, and local levels to ensure greater access to affordable housing. Through advocacy, we build relationships with lawmakers and create new opportunities for affordable homeownership throughout Greater Cleveland. Our advocacy efforts aim to encourage our leaders to take up responsible and equitable housing policies in order to address the housing crisis distressing our communities today. However, change is only possible with the help of Habitat supporters like YOU taking action!

Latest Advocacy News

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Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity's 2025 Advocacy Priorities

Federal:

• HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) are resources accessed through partnerships with local communities to develop new homes and ensure housing affordability. With increasing construction costs and stagnating wages, these resources are vital in providing access to homeownership for working-class families. 
• AmeriCorps is a national service program that is vital to the mission of Habitat for Humanity. We seek increased funding to recruit and support AmeriCorps members as they serve onsite and within the Habitat office to engage volunteers, build and renovate homes, and share Habitat’s work with communities across Greater Cleveland.
• We support a permanent extension of the New Markets Tax Credit program, a vital resource that incentivizes development in low-income neighborhoods using tax credits. This provides critical funding needed to complete projects, grow our housing stock, and stabilize communities.
• The Neighborhood Homes Investment Act (NHIA) would provide a federal tax credit to build and rehabilitate homes for lower and middle-income families. Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity could utilize the NHIA to support the financing of new homes. New solutions like this one are badly needed to contend with skyrocketing housing costs and the affordable housing crisis.

State:

• The Welcome Home Ohio (WHO) program provides grants for the purchase of qualifying residential properties, the cost of construction or rehabilitation, or tax credits for qualifying activities. This program promises to be a vital boost to homeownership across Ohio. https://development.ohio.gov/community/redevelopment/welcomehome
• The Ohio Housing Trust Fund has stood as a pillar of support for affordable housing in Ohio for years. The program provides a flexible funding source that supports affordable housing opportunities, expands housing services, and improves housing conditions for low-income Ohioans and families. https://development.ohio.gov/community/community-resources/ohio-housing-trust-fun
• Thanks to $25 million in ARPA support allocated by the State of Ohio in 2023, Habitat affiliates across Ohio have been able to launch multiple new construction and rehab projects, and support Critical Home Repair programs. Millions in support have come to Greater Cleveland.

County:

• The County Land Bank is a vital partner to Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity and provides generous support to most of our projects. They are the bookends to many of our projects, assisting Habitat in acquiring properties, providing grant support, and strategic community development. https://cuyahogalandbank.org/
• Cuyahoga County Council and the County Executive are a crucial partner and support Habitat and our partners. In recent years, they’ve provide crucial support for the acquisition and renovation of our headquarters building.

City:

• Thanks to over $6 million in ARPA support allocated in 2023 by the City of Cleveland, Habitat for Humanity has advanced our 400-Home Initiative in multiple Cleveland neighborhoods, including major projects throughout five city wards.
• The City of Cleveland’s Modular Pilot Program leverages city ARPA funds to kickstart modular housing construction with the eventual goal of establishing a modular factory in Cleveland. Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity is at the forefront of this effort. https://www.clevelandohio.gov/news/clevelands-next-chapter-affordable-housing-modular-pilot-coming-clark-fulton-and-buckeye-fall

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Advocacy FAQs

Q. Why does Habitat advocate?

A: We advocate to build our capacity to increase our affordable homeownership work throughout the Greater Cleveland area – by increasing affordable homeownership investment and supporting policies that create equitable and accessible homeownership for all.

Q. What are some Habitat Advocacy Successes?

• In June 2023, the City of Cleveland awarded Greater Cleveland Habitat $5 million in ARPA funds to construct 50 homes across the city, and to support the acquisition of our headquarters building on West 110th St.
• In January 2023, the State of Ohio awarded Habitat of Ohio $25 million in ARPA funds to support affordable homeownership opportunities and home repairs throughout Ohio, bringing millions in support to Greater Cleveland Habitat.
• In June 2025, the Ohio State Legislature passed $100 million in grant funding for the Welcome Home Ohio (WHO) Program. WHO supports homeownership by providing up to $100K per home to nonprofit developers and government partners.  Additionally, Habitat affiliates can now apply directly for this funding, which Habitat affiliates across Ohio advocated for.
• In late 2023, the City of Cleveland allocated Greater Cleveland Habitat $1.5 million in ARPA funds for our critical home repair program.
• In 2023, the Cuyahoga Land Bank pledged $2 million towards Greater Cleveland Habitat’s 400-Home Initiative.
• June 10th, 2025: Habitat successfully advocated to receive $300,000 in County Community Development Funds. Thank you to all members of the County Council, and the County Executive, for their tremendous support.
• In June 2025, the city of Lorain allocated $90,000 to Greater Cleveland Habitat as a part of Habitat’s foundation repair program in Lorain. We’re partnering with the city to repair at least ten foundations for owner-occupied homes.
• In June 2024, the state of Ohio allocated just over $500,000 in One Time Strategic Community Investments Funds (OTSCIF) to support Cleveland Habitat’s headquarters acquisition and repairs.
• In October 2023, Cuyahoga County Council allocated $175,000 in ARPA Funds to support the acquisition of Habitat’s headquarters building.
• On October 4th 2024, Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity hosted its first Local Leader Volunteer Day. Elected officials from all levels of government worked on Habitat construction sites. 

Q When Does Habitat Advocate?

A: Habitat advocates 24/7/365! While the audience and methods can change depending on the time of year and other factors, our mission never changes. We are always working to build relationships and support with government partners.

Q. How do I know who represents me?

A: Here’s info on how to find your representatives:

Find My City Council Member: https://www.clevelandcitycouncil.org/find-my-ward

Find My County Council Member: https://gis.cuyahogacounty.us/portal/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=468d487b344c4e00857591713840aa2e

Find My Ohio State Representative: https://www.ohiohouse.gov/

Find My Ohio State Senator: https://www.ohiosenate.gov/members/district-map

Find My Congressional Representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

More Ohio Voting Information and Resources: The Ohio Secretary of State website has more info: https://www.ohiosos.gov/

Want to learn more about Habitat’s advocacy efforts throughout the U.S. and around the world?
Visit: https://www.habitat.org/about/advocacy