America's Charities | October 5, 2020
World Habitat Day: Recognizing the Basic Right of Everyone to Adequate Shelter
In 1985 the United Nations designated the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day. The idea is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter. The Day is also intended to remind the world that we all have the power and the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns.
In recognition of #WorldHabitatDay on October 5, 2020, America’s Charities is celebrating the following agents of change who we are proud to call our members. These affiliates of Habitat for Humanity serve the Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia region, bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.
One of the most cost-efficient ways you can support these nonprofits is to donate to them via payroll deduction through your employer’s workplace giving program (Don’t have a program? Click here to have your employer contact our team.) Click on each charity’s name below to learn more about their work, and to make a donation now!
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia, Inc.
Founded in 1990 by housing advocates concerned about the lack of affordable housing in Northern Virginia, Habitat NOVA has facilitated the dream of homeownership for more than 90 lower-income families. Habitat NOVA is a self-funded, independently operated affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Their mission is to provide simple, decent and affordable housing to those in need in Arlington and Fairfax counties, as well as the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church. The Habitat model of affordable housing is unique, in that they provide a “hand up” to homeownership. In addition to constructing an affordable home, Habitat provides interest-free mortgages, very low down payments, homeownership and financial counseling, and buy-back options for homeowners. They select Habitat families based on their need for decent housing, ability to meet monthly housing costs for a home, and willingness to partner with us to help build their homes. Learn more about Habitat NOVA and upcoming opportunities to support their work.
Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C., Inc.
In our nation’s capital—the seat of government and a symbol of our democracy—people struggle to provide the most basic need for their families: a home. More than half of D.C. renters live in unaffordable housing. One in four spend more than 50% of what they earn on housing, leaving precious little for necessities like food, transportation, and medical care, and nothing left to save for their future. Many live in homes that are cramped, unsafe, and in disrepair and families suffer from the effects of unstable housing: their health is worse, children perform poorly in schools, and there are fewer opportunities. Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C. (DC Habitat) is building a D.C. where everyone has a safe, decent place to live. We build and sell affordable homes, provide low-cost home repairs, offer financial education, and advocate for policies that create more housing for struggling families in the nation’s capital. With the help of public, private, nonprofit, and foundation partners DC Habitat helps working families realize the dream of homeownership, breaking the cycle of poverty, and building strong communities. Because when families have a stable place to call home, they can stop getting by and start to thrive. Learn more about DC Habitat and ways you can help.
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