The U.S. House of Representatives is proposing to make severe cuts to many critical federal programs including AmeriCorps, the 30-year-old program that provides the people power that local nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations train and deploy to respond to our country’s most immediate and critical needs. A significant reduction in funding for AmeriCorps would impact Habitat for Humanity and our efforts to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope.
AmeriCorps has been an integral part of Habitat for 30 years. Habitat AmeriCorps members serve in rural, urban, and suburban communities across the United States working with families, volunteers and partners to build and repair homes. Since 1994, more than 12,000 Habitat AmeriCorps members have engaged 4.4 million volunteers, raised over $4 million in cash and in-kind resources and have served nearly 20 million hours leading and managing volunteers on the build site, supporting future homeowners and developing new partnerships in the community.
The Habitat AmeriCorps Program has had a significant impact on our affiliate network by building the capacity of Habitat affiliates to work alongside more individuals and families. Additionally, Habitat AmeriCorps members gain professional skills and benefits as a result of their service experience, and program alumni continue to be civically engaged and have an increased interest in affordable housing and careers in nonprofits, construction and/or government. We must continue investing in critical programs like AmeriCorps that will help increase the supply of affordable homes.