Our Families are Essential!
Many of the families in our current pipeline represent the front-line workers who are fulfilling essential duties during this crisis. These are the individuals bagging groceries, delivering packages, preparing food and working in hospitals. The uncertainty that so many of us feel today, these families have felt for a lifetime — if not generations.
The need doesn’t go away just because the economy has stalled. In fact, the need is growing.
- Over 500,000 Americans are homeless.
- Forty percent of renters are considered cost-burdened.
- Nearly 6 million Americans live in substandard housing.
- In an estimated 12 million of these households, at least one contributing member works in an at-risk industry.
Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity, just like the millions who are under stay-at-home orders, is adjusting to this ever-changing situation. Build sites are suspended, Habitat ReStores are closed, and finances are impacted, but our operations continue. Every day, front-line Habitat for Humanity staff members continue to make affordable homeownership a reality for families. They are working virtually to service mortgages and coach homeowners to ensure that they can stay in their homes. They are pivoting homeowner services, education and financial planning to virtual environments and making payroll to ensure that when our economy reopens, we are prepared not just to continue building, but also to accelerate to meet the increased need for affordable housing.
Healthcare workers, grocery store clerks, Atlanta airport workers, MARTA employees, and postal workers are just a few professions held by Southern Crescent Habitat partner families. They are on the frontlines for us and thanks to you we can ensure that they have a decent place to call home!
Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity has launched the “Our Families are Essential” campaign to ensure that we are able to continue — and accelerate — our work in Clayton, Fayette, and Henry counties. As the economic shocks from this crisis ripple out, the need for affordable, safe and healthy housing is more apparent than ever.
Over the next few months, we will introduce you to some of our families that are on the frontline helping us get through this pandemic.
