Nationwide, housing costs are skyrocketing as more families lack access to a safe, affordable, and decent place to call home. Here in Alabama, 1 in 8 households pay half or more of their income on housing.
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, advocates representing 10 Alabama Habitat for Humanity affiliate organizations and the Affiliate State Office gathered in the Alabama State House to connect with legislators and government officials for their annual State Advocacy Day. The Alabama Affiliate Habitat Association hosted legislators with a "coffee connect" before the start of the legislative day to discuss the urgent needs for affordable housing and the beneficial impact of state partnerships in their respective districts. Affiliate advocates also had the opportunity to highlight program successes achieved through the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) allocation granted to Alabama Habitat for Humanity.
"Habitat’s work is about more than housing - it’s about stability, opportunity, and strengthening communities. I appreciate their commitment and advocacy, and I look forward to continuing to support efforts that ensure safe, affordable housing remains a priority in Alabama." - Alabama State Representative Parker Moore, District 4 (Limestone, Madison, and Morgan Counties)
Later that afternoon, a larger meeting was held with the Alabama Department of Finance in the Alabama State Capitol to specifically focus on Habitat ARPA projects. State Finance Director Bill Poole, Deputy Finance Director Susan Wilhelm, and various department staff involved in this partnership from the beginning were present for this summary report. The original projection of the Habitat ARPA allocation was a goal of 100 new home construction builds and 215 home repair projects for a total of 315 projects. To date, Alabama Habitat affiliates have completed 154 new home construction builds and 355 home repair projects, far surpassing the original goal with a new total of 509 projects. These accomplishments were reached by leveraging the federal ARPA funds with other state and federal home building programs and advancing private, corporate, and faith-based partnerships. The final ARPA Habitat figures and impact will be provided a later date as other projects are still in progress and near completion.
Next month, February 9-12, a delegation of 13 Alabama Habitat for Humanity advocates will travel to Washington, D.C. for Habitat for Humanity's annual federal advocacy event, Habitat on the Hill. This conference event will convene nearly 500 advocates for intensive discussions, training sessions, and networking opportunities. The highlight of Habitat on the Hill will be a day of individual meetings between Habitat and Alabama's Congressional and Senate members, promoting federal legislation and priorities supporting affordable housing and homeownership initiatives.
Alabama Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. Alabama Habitat is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.
