-Algernon Charles Swinburne

I sense that this spring, “shot by shot”, a new normal begins. It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since decisions had to be made to cancel spring fundraisers, close construction sites and the ReStore, and move our operations to working remotely. It’s the first time in the past year that I can see the new beginning truly in sight. The day when we return to the office, the day when volunteers are more fully back on site, the day when we get to interact with families and each other without masks.

I am grateful to my staff team that met this moment with grace, creativity, and flexibility. I am grateful to the many volunteers who have patiently waited to be involved again and the few brave souls who kindly gave of their time to continue to help us build. (It was nice to see a few more of you the other day who have been fully vaccinated.) I am grateful to donors who generously gave and helped us weather this moment financially. I am grateful to the Board who supported the difficult decisions that had to be made. I am grateful for the families who continued to pursue their dreams of homeownership.

Together, we have endured this moment. Together, we will take advantage of what we have learned about the power of home to do even more as our spring arrives. Together, we will blossom again.

May the arrival of spring lift your hearts and surround you in hope.

Yours in partnership,

Dr. Cathy Collins

CEO

Habitat CFC hosted two virtual Women Build events: a Lunch & Learn on Women & Housing with special guest Dr. Tiffany Manuel (watch the recording here), and a Happy Hour Wine and Chocolate pairing with BE Chocolat’s Chef Benoit (watch the recording here).

The virtual events were attended by nearly 150 participants and aimed to foster a dialogue about the unique housing challenges that women in our community face, as well as to invite local women to become involved with Habitat CFC’s Women Build program – which seeks to engage women in all aspects of Habitat’s work from building to advocacy and fundraising. The virtual programming was made possible by National Women Build partner Lowe’s, as well as local events sponsor, Bank of America.

Habitat CFC’s virtual Women Build events were a part of more than 300 Women Build projects supporting women-led households across the United States, Canada, and India to drive awareness and address the need.

In the Virtual Lunch & Learn: Women & Housing, Dr. Tiffany Manuel encouraged attendees to consider what resources and gifts they can offer to Habitat’s work and affordable housing overall, saying “Now is the time to ask yourself- what can I do to invest in the power and capacity of women from all walks of life?”

Women have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, from job loss to evictions and foreclosures. According to The National Women’s Law Center, 80 percent of U.S. jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic were held by women. The United Nations (UN) has reported that 40 percent of all employed women globally work in the industries hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The past year has reinforced the importance of safe and affordable housing. Our homes have become work spaces, classrooms, gyms, and so much more. Every person deserves safe and affordable housing and that is what Habitat for Humanity strives to do every day.

Despite the unprecedented challenges women are facing, women remain on the front lines of the pandemic as essential workers, as caretakers within their households, and too often have to make the difficult decision between maintaining a place to call home and paying for food, health care, childcare, education or reliable transportation. Harvard University’s State of the Nation’s Housing 2020 report revealed that 37.1 million U.S. households spent more than 30 percent of their incomes on housing in 2019, including 17.6 million spending more than 50 percent. The effects of the pandemic have further highlighted the need for safe and affordable housing, as 29 percent of renters and 36 percent of homeowners experienced employment income loss between March and September of 2020.

Interested in getting involved? Email Volunteer Services Coordinator, Anthony Orfino, at aorfino@habitatcfc.org for more information about how you can help.

It's official! Lisbeth closed on her family's beautiful new fully-accessible Habitat home. We are so happy for Lisbeth and her kids and excited for them to begin this new chapter.

Our goal is to raise $15,000, the cost of a full foundation for our 16th Women Build home. You can give a family a stable foundation that will help them thrive for decades and generations to come.

When you donate to Habitat CFC, you help a local family build a strong foundation for their children's future. Now more than ever, home matters. Our homes are where we learn, where we work, where we play, where we rest, and where we spend time with the people we love.

Advocacy Win! Support for Low-Income Homeowners included in Rescue Plan

In February, a Habitat CFC team of homeowners, volunteers, and staff joined hundreds of Habitat for Humanity advocates from across the nation to meet virtually with our legislators and ask congress to include support for low-income homeowners in the 2021 Rescue Plan Act. Last month, Congress answered Habitat’s call, providing nearly $10 billion in emergency mortgage payment assistance for low-income homeowners.

“Millions of American families have lost income during this pandemic through no fault of their own, putting them at real risk of falling behind on their housing payments,” said Jonathan T.M. Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “Mortgage payment assistance for low-income homeowners, coupled with the ongoing foreclosure moratoriums, will help families stay safe in their homes. With vaccines rolling out and an economic rebound on the horizon, this payment assistance will provide a vital bridge to a more secure future. We are thankful that Congress has answered our call for support for low-income homeowners.”

Learn more about Habitat's priorities in the Rescue Plan Act of 2021 here.

What's Next? Fund housing investments as part of the national infrastructure package

As President Biden rolls out his infrastructure proposal, Habitat CFC joins more than 560 local Habitat organizations from all 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico in calling for investment in housing to be a part of the infrastructure package. Read more about the need for housing investment and the key strategies.

In the letter addressed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Habitat called for the following measures to be included in an infrastructure package:

Interested in becoming involved as an advocacy volunteer? Email Caitlin Dalton, Director of Communications & Outreach, at cdalton@habtatcfc.org.

In March we celebrated AmeriCorps Week - a celebration of all the service AmeriCorps members engage in all over the world. We would like to give recognition to our four AmeriCorps members who have worked with us since late 2020. Although the work has been difficult and different in 2020 and 2021, the AmeriCorps members have stepped up in assisting us with our goals.

Narly Simon and Chanttal Cabral have been working closely with our CEO Cathy Collins in researching opportunities to enhance and build community partnerships. They also did extensive research to identify key stakeholders for community listening sessions. Throughout 2020, they were able to conduct these listening sessions with volunteers and donors to generate as much feedback as possible on how Habitat CFC can improve.

Kevin Walek and Mark Daley have been conducting their AmeriCorps service with us as Construction Crew Leaders. They have been working on our construction sites with our Project Managers, Core volunteers, and future homeowners throughout 2020. Although the number of volunteers was not at the level we had hoped, tremendous progress has been made thanks to the work of the team and our AmeriCorps members. The work they have been doing has been vital in keeping our construction projects moving forward so we will still be able to move deserving families into their homes.

To put it mildly, 2020 was a challenging year. But as we mark one year since things shut down, we are proud of everything we have been able to accomplish together! Thank you to the amazing community of volunteers, supporters, advocates, and homeowners who have continued to make Habitat happen. Now more than ever, home matters.

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