In Wake and Johnston Counties, 1 in 4 families are burdened by housing costs, meaning they spend over 30% of their income on housing. This strains their ability to afford necessities like food, transportation, education, and healthcare. Worker wages, including those of elementary school teachers, childcare workers, and firefighters, are insufficient to cover housing expenses.
Habitat Wake seeks to increase access to housing that is affordable. Since 1985, we have partnered with over 800 families to build homes, but the need for affordable housing remains great.
Advocacy is directly tied to our mission and plays a crucial role in addressing this affordable housing crisis. Habitat Wake’s Advocacy Ambassador program engages community members on a local level to build inclusive neighborhoods through public education and by challenging stigmas about affordable housing.
Our Affordable Housing Priorities
Habitat Wake is committed to addressing the affordable housing crisis through innovative solutions and systemic policy changes. Our policy priorities are the guide we use when deciding whether to engage on an issue and are developed collaboratively by Habitat Wake's Advocacy Committee and approved by our Board of Directors. We also support broader affordable housing advocacy efforts at the state and national levels through our partner organizations.
- Bold investments in affordable housing and infrastructure by local decision makers
- Policies that reduce the risk of displacement and support residents at the lowest income thresholds
- Housing cost solutions for homeowners to gain long term affordability
- Equitable land use policy that ensures affordability as our area grows
- Equitable access to transit, including bus routes aligned with affordable housing and increased access to transportation options for Habitat homeowners
- Expedited review and permitting for affordable housing projects
