Now more than ever, Habitat for Humanity’s work is critical.
For many families, those who were already struggling with a need for decent and affordable housing, their daily lives have only become more challenging. For others, those who find themselves affected by the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the future is newly uncertain.
These are the families who now more than ever need the hand up that we can provide. Even in these times — especially in these times — we continue to work tirelessly toward our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
In Oregon communities of all sizes, local Habitat board and staff members continue to push back against the challenges set forth by COVID-19. These obstacles include increased social distancing measures that affect our ability to engage with volunteers, event cancelations, ReStore operation suspensions, and more. During this time, we’re pursuing many avenues to move forward our vision:
- Affiliates have resumed work according to the situation in their local communities. Habitat for Humanity International has developed detailed guidance to assist them in their decisions and plans for resumption of operations and programs, including construction activity, ReStore operations and offices. Learn more about the ongoing work in your community [link to Find your Local Habitat page].
- We have shared with the U.S. Congress recommendations for immediate solutions to inform their conversations and stimulus work. These recommendations, developed with local Habitat input, include mortgage forbearance for families, grants to nonprofits lenders to enable payment forbearance, a national moratorium on foreclosures and evictions, and more. We are encouraging our advocates to continue to engage with local and state governments on similar issues.
- Help us by adding your voice now to tell Congress to act for housing stability [link: https://www.habitat.org/act-now-COVID-19]. The longer this pandemic and its economic shocks continue, the more the current situation also becomes a housing emergency. Even before the current crisis, far too many families already struggled to afford a decent place to live. They are going to need our hand up now more than ever. Call on your senators and representatives to prioritize the needs [link: https://www.habitat.org/act-now-COVID-19] of low-income families and organizations like Habitat that work hard to serve them.
- Local Habitat affiliates throughout the United States have donated more than 215,000 masks, respirators and face shields and nearly 25,000 personal protective gowns to health care providers. This equipment, normally used by Habitat construction staff and volunteers on build sites, can also be used by medical professionals and patients to prevent the spread of disease and are in short supply for frontline health workers during this crisis.
- Every day, on our social media channels, we celebrate the global community that is Habitat for Humanity. We have known the determination and commitment of families, volunteers and supporters for decades. This important fuel for our mission feeds us now more than ever. Follow us on Facebook [link: https://www.facebook.com/habitatoregon], Twitter [link: https://twitter.com/habitatoregon]and LinkedIn [link: https://www.linkedin.com/company/habitat-for-humanity-of-oregon]. You are sure to be inspired and will learn of additional calls to action.
The future is never promised, although it often can easily feel that way when things are going according to plan. May the turbulence of these days bind us to each other and to our shared mission, which is more important now than it ever has been. Together, we are better. Together, we will get through this. And together, we will build back.
Please note: The Habitat for Humanity of Oregon team is working remotely but maintaining standard operating hours. We are checking the voicemail daily. For the time being, inquiries submitted by email will have the quickest response.