NEWS & STORIES

Advocacy in Action: From Sacramento to Washington, D.C.

This past month, I had the privilege of representing Habitat for Humanity Calaveras at both the state and federal levels — advocating for the policies and funding that make affordable homeownership possible.

At the State Capitol

In Sacramento, our message was clear:

Invest $500 million in CalHome in the 2026–2027 State Budget.

CalHome is California’s only state program dedicated to affordable homeownership. It helps organizations like Habitat:

• Move shovel-ready homes into construction
• Expand access for working families
• Close the generational wealth gap
• Leverage local, federal, and private dollars
• Keep homes affordable long term

For us, this funding is personal.

Eureka Oaks — the largest Habitat development in California history — would not exist without the $10 million CalHome award we received. That investment is now turning into 107 homes for families right here in Calaveras County.

We also advocated for important policy changes, including:

• AB 939 (Schultz) — modernizing California’s Density Bonus Law to streamline affordable homeownership
• Removing barriers that prevent public land from being used for self-help housing

We were honored to meet with Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, staff from Assembly Member David Tangipa’s office, and staff from Assembly Member Heath Flora’s office. Rural communities must be part of California’s housing solution.

Habitat on the Hill – Washington, D.C.

The following week, I traveled to Washington, D.C. for Habitat for Humanity International’s Habitat on the Hill.

While we were there, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644) with a bipartisan vote of 390–9. This bill focuses on increasing housing supply, modernizing programs, and reducing barriers to building more homes.

In our meetings with members of Congress and their staff, we encouraged lawmakers to combine:

• The Senate’s ROAD to Housing Act (S. 2651)
• The House’s Housing for the 21st Century Act

And move forward with a bipartisan housing package that meaningfully increases supply nationwide.

We also advocated for strong federal funding for:

• SHOP (Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program) – at least $20 million
• HOME Investment Partnerships Program – at least $1.5 billion
• USDA Section 502 Direct Loans – at least $1.25 billion

The USDA 502 Direct Loan program is especially important in rural communities like ours. It’s a powerful mortgage tool we hope to offer to future Eureka Oaks homeowners.

Why Advocacy Matters

At Habitat, we build homes.

But we also work to shape the policies that make those homes possible.

Advocacy helps:

• Protect critical funding
• Reduce unnecessary barriers
• Increase housing supply
• Ensure rural communities are not left behind

If we want to serve more families, we must help strengthen the system that supports affordable homeownership.

A Personal Reflection

While in Washington, I visited the Lincoln Memorial on Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.

Standing there, I was reminded that progress takes courage — and persistence. Lincoln believed in a more perfect union. Advocacy is part of that work. It’s how we move forward together.

These two weeks allowed us to elevate the story of Habitat for Humanity Calaveras and the real housing needs in our county.

Eureka Oaks is historic. And with continued partnership at every level of government, we can complete this project — and begin the next.

— Morgan
Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity Calaveras