Advocacy

Advocacy: (noun) working to change the systems, policies, attitudes and institutional behaviors that lead to inadequate housing

Advocacy isn’t difficult to do. Advocacy is helping to create awareness and doing simple things to bring about the end to poverty housing. 

Start out by learning more about poverty and how poverty housing impacts families and communities. Then, find simple and meaningful ways to share your new knowledge with those around you and elected officials. 

Part One: Learn more about poverty, substandard housing, and Habitat for Humanity.

§  Go to the Learn section of our website for ideas

Part Two: Teach others about Habitat for Humanity

§  Give a presentation to your class, scout group, neighbors, youth group
Tell five people why Habitat is important and how they can get involved
Plan your own Act! Speak! Build! Week)
Pass out a small item attached to a fact about poverty/substandard housing. For example, use a piece of candy or make necklaces by knotting a nut or bolt onto string and include the fact note.
Make a poster to hang in your school/place of worship/library. Include interesting information, such as the projected housing need or living wage versus minimum wage in your area 
Write a letter to the editor of your local or school paper

Part Three: Tell elected officials what you think

§  With the help of an adult, draft a letter to your national or local official
You can use these examples to help you get started
It is always helpful to include a specific issue - an adult can help you learn at
With a group, organize a Paper Houses Campaign

Acting as an independent entity to try to end poverty housing, Habitat for Humanity will never catch up with the need. However, when we work to advocate for our needs, the dream of ending poverty housing can become a reality.”

— Anne Randall, Sea Island Habitat for Humanity, South Carolina, USA