Image of stacked coins, text reads "Cost of Home: Advocate for affordable housing"

The Cost of Home advocacy campaign is a five-year effort by Habitat for Humanity International through which local Habitat affiliates are working to ensure 10 million people have access to an affordable home. With the resources listed on this page, you can learn more about the current housing crisis and help Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity to advocate locally for decent, affordable homes in Western Massachusetts.

Did you know more than 18 million US households were paying half or more of their income for a place to live in 2020? There is a -159,578 shortage of affordable, available households for extremely low-income renters in Massachusetts. Fair market monthly rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in Western MA is $1,225: someone would need to make $24 per hour to afford that rent.
Sources: Habitat International’s Massachusetts fact sheet and local rent data, 2020

Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity is working to create safe, durable, and affordable homes in Hampshire and Franklin counties through our ongoing builds. Our Big Enough Project also focuses on promoting innovative small homes as affordable and energy-efficient solutions, and the project’s pilot homes have received national recognition.

How can I help?

Use the resources listed here as your virtual advocacy toolkit and start taking action today! Every call, email, or social media post helps to raise awareness and push for improvement in the lives of our neighbors in Western Massachusetts.