Advocacy: public support for a cause
In over 40 years, Habitat partners, donors and volunteers have built, rehabbed, or repaired homes for more than 1,100 families through building 200+ local homes, preserving more than 550 homes for low-income homeowners and seniors, and helping 400 families with housing solutions worldwide.
In addition to increasing local production and global commitments, we need to “Build Louder” to challenge the systems that cause poverty housing – especially here in the United States – and create policies that promote the building and repairing of affordable housing and access to credit for low-income households.
By mobilizing Habitat supporters to take up the pen and lift their voices—as well as their hammers—we can begin to eliminate the cause of substandard housing.
We advocate for a broad range of public policies and government funding at the local, state and federal levels.
Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat is part of a worldwide effort
As an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, we seek public support for improved housing policies and funding so everyone has a decent place to live. Learn more here: https://www.habitat.org/about/advocacy
What’s the Housing Need in New Jersey?
With 1 in 6 NJ residents spending more than 50% of their income on housing, it’s no surprise that our state is the 7th most expensive housing market in the U.S. In 2025, an income of $83,173 is needed to afford a two bedroom apartment and even more — $169,025— to buy a median priced home in New Jersey. Estimates of the number of affordable rental and for-sale homes vary but generally all agree we need more than 200,000 units to meet current needs.
See what Habitat for Humanity affiliates are doing to improve housing here in New Jersey
Learn more about New Jersey’s housing needs here
Advocacy activities
– Habitat on the Hill – February
– HCDN-NJ Legislative Day – June
– Education and information of staff, board, volunteers, supporters: monthly articles via Habitat Happenings, Social Media as well as Action Alerts to Advocacy Champions who sign up for advocacy communications.
Our nonprofit partners in advocacy
– Housing Alliance of Morris County
– Housing & Community Development Network of New Jersey
– Fair Share Housing Center
– Habitat for Humanity affiliates of New Jersey
– Habitat for Humanity International Office of Government Relations and Advocacy
Resources How does Homeownership contribute to wealth building? Read more here
1) Dismantling Exclusionary Zoning: New Jersey’s Blueprint for Overcoming Segregation
2) The State of the Nation’s Housing
3) Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University
4) Making the Two New Jerseys One: closing the $30,000 racial wealth gap in the Garden State
Your Voice Matters – Ways to Take Action:
1. Subscribe to our Advocacy Communications
Knowledge is power and the first step to becoming an advocate is to stay informed. Click the button below to subscribe to our Advocacy Communications and learn about housing reform.
2. Save HUD funding.
From time to time, we’ll ask you to email, call, write, or visit your member of Congress. They need to know that Congress has an important opportunity to address the housing crisis in the U.S. and make a difference in in the lives of low-income families, seniors and those with disabilities. They can provide affordable housing and homeownership opportunities through sound policies, access to mortgage capital and other public policy initiatives.
3. Know your state representative.
Here’s a link to find your district number: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/district-map. And find your current state representatives by entering your address on this page: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster.
4. Know your members of Congress.
Find your congressional representatives by entering your address here: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member.
November election results will be updated in the coming year at the start of the new terms.
The Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat Advocacy Team
 | Barbara Dunn |
 | Sarah Escamilla |