Neighborhood Assistance tax credit program:

Under Senate Bill 236, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels is proposing a cost-cutting measure of suspending tax credits given every year for economic and community development.

The bill was heard February 25 in the House Ways and Means Committee. What is in store for the governor's bill, authored by Sen. Brandt Hershman, is now up to Ways and Means Chairman Bill Crawford and SB236 sponsor Rep. Peggy Welch. SB236 language may also show up again in the Senate as an amendment to a surviving House bill.

Through the Neighborhood Assistance Program, our affiliate has been able to leverage in the excess of $399,000 of donations since the year 2001. NAP credits are awarded for beneficial programs including affordable housing construction and rehab.

You can reach the Indiana House of Representatives switchboard at 800-382-9842 to express your concerns about SB 236. Ask your representatives to oppose this legislation. If you are unsure who your legislators are, Access Indiana can help! If you know who your legislators are, but do not know how to contact them, click here!

Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program:

With your help, Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) can push back potential budget cuts that would reduce Habitat's ability to rebuild neighborhoods. Habitat supporters from all over the U.S. are in Washington right now urging Congress to protect funding for programs that support Habitat's Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, including the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) which provides much needed funding for infrastructure/construction expenses of our partner family homes.

We have an emergency on our hands, but Habitat is responding. Contact your members of Congress TODAY so Habitat will have the resources it needs to:

- Purchase property, develop infrastructure, and build affiliate capacity to transform abandoned homes and struggling neighborhoods into vibrant and resilient communities;
- Provide thousands of additional low-income families with opportunities for affordable homeownership;
- Grow the national service corps to recruit, train, and manage more volunteers addressing the needs of at-risk communities.

Please call your legislators and tell them we can't afford budget cuts that threaten essential Habitat programs, or go to HFHI's site to email your representatives.
 
Ask President Obama to make aid work for the 1 billion people worldwide living in extreme poverty!

Right now, President Obama and his senior advisors are debating the future of U.S. efforts to alleviate poverty, fight disease, and create economic opportunity for the world's poorest people.

Their decisions can have a profound impact on how Habitat for Humanity serves families in need around the globe.

Habitat, in partnership with Women Thrive Worldwide, the ONE Campaign, Bread for the World, Publish What You Fund, Save the Children, RESULTS, Mercy Corps, American Jewish World Service, Oxfam, and CARE, needs your support.

Sign the petition urging the White House to make a strong statement about America's commitment to development.

Add your signature to the petition by clicking here!

Advocacy Efforts
In addition to building homes and partnering with hard-working, low-income families, an essential aspect of Habitat for Humanity is to advocate on behalf of those in need of decent shelter and for issues that affect affordable housing. Through advocacy, Habitat for Humanity will work to change the systems that lead to poverty housing and give even more families a place to call home.

To support its advocacy efforts, Habitat for Humanity works to maintain an understanding of issues related to housing and poverty. Habitat for Humanity International monitors public policy issues related to housing, community development and international development as it affects our work in the United States and around the world. Explore Habitat's public policy resources.

Habitat for Humanity monitors legislation, programs and regulations related to housing, community development and international development which impact the provision of affordable housing. Learn about Habitat's legislative priorities.