U.S. Office News

October 2023

It’s time to start planning your trip to Habitat on the Hill 2024, Feb. 6-8 in Washington, D.C.!

I’m excited to join in inviting home affordability advocates from across the country back to the nation’s capital. Habitat on the Hill is an opportunity for Habitat staff members, board members, homeowners, resident leaders, volunteers, emerging leaders and supporters to engage with each other and with experts in the housing field to plan and advocate for local, state and federal policy solutions that advance home affordability. We value having diverse representation at the conference and are offering scholarships for homeowners, resident leaders, emerging leaders and first-time attendees representing small or rural affiliates to attend.

This is an opportunity to roll up our sleeves and focus on Habitat’s unique role in finding and creating policy solutions to our nation's most pressing issues. The conference theme of Reaching New Heights, Together serves as both a testament to our achievements and a call for the future.

Last year’s conference sold out at an unprecedented pace, so be sure to register soon. Special early-bird pricing ends Dec. 8. After registering, please consider submitting a proposal for the Cost of Home poster exhibition. More information is available on the conference website.

Adrienne Goolsby
Senior Vice President, U.S. and Canada
Habitat for Humanity International

• Action items and important news
• Funding opportunities
• Events and important dates
• New resources and program updates
• Other news
• Reminders

At its Sept. 20-21 meeting, the Habitat for Humanity U.S. Council overwhelmingly approved a motion to send the proposed Habitat 2.0 fee policy, including a list of proposed changes based on network feedback, to the HFHI board of directors for adoption in November. After the meeting, the network received an update from the U.S. Council and additional resources on the financial model.

You can watch the discussion led by HFHI CEO Jonathan Reckford with Bo Miller, chair of the Habitat for Humanity U.S. Council; Laura Belcher, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region and vice chair of the U.S. Council; and Carmen Smith, executive director at Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity and chair of the U.S. Council’s Policy Committee. The conversation focuses on sharing insight into the policy process, U.S. Council vote and next steps. In addition, please watch the collaborative fundraising video series and stay tuned for resources to support affiliates’ discussions with their boards.

HFHI is updating affiliate-facing donated products and branded resources technology to include a more streamlined sign-on and user-friendly order process, with an expected pre-Thanksgiving roll-out. This and other upcoming changes to online systems are designed with improved user experience and benefits to affiliate operations in mind. Updates will be shared as work progresses toward implementation.

Habitat for Humanity International’s direct marketing team is searching for several compelling family stories to feature in upcoming mail packages for year-end and spring 2024 campaigns. The affiliates submitting selected family stories will receive a $10,000 grant. Learn more on the Knowledge Center of MyHabitat and submit your story by Oct. 20. Please note: Affiliates participating in the Direct Marketing Pilot are not eligible for the $10,000 grant.

Find current funding opportunities on the Knowledge Center of MyHabitat.

• Oct. 20 — Deadline to complete the Affiliate Statistical Report and Housing Production Report.
• Oct. 24 — How to Apply for the Habitat AmeriCorps Program, 3 p.m. EDT.
• Oct. 26 — Management and Operations Expertise Hub Peer Connection Chat: Managing Your Human Resources Needs, 2 p.m. EDT.
• Nov. 1 — Habitat ReStore Resources Live Tour, 3 p.m. EDT.
• Nov. 6 — Introduction to Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed Practices, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EST.
• Nov. 9 — MyHabitat Live Tour, 11:30 a.m. EST.
• Nov. 14 — Resource Development Expertise Hub Peer Connection Chat: Major Gift Qualification, 2 p.m. EST.
• Nov. 14 — MyHabitat Live Tour, 3 p.m. EST.
• Feb. 6-8 — Habitat on the Hill: Reaching New Heights, Together in Washington, D.C.
• March 4-7 — 2024 Affiliate Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Join USDA Rural Development and Habitat for Humanity colleagues as we strengthen our partnership, build working knowledge and share tips on grant and loan programs available to finance, build and repair homes in eligible rural areas. The free online training series will cover USDA programs for new and rehab construction, home repairs and disaster assistance.

Join the Habitat AmeriCorps team for a virtual session focused on how to apply for the program on Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. EDT. Gain valuable tips to guide you through our application process and learn what resources are available to support your submission. Please register in advance.

Please join us on Monday, Nov. 6, at 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EST for a training opportunity to integrate person-centered, trauma-informed approaches into your work at Habitat. Over 90% of older adults have experienced at least one traumatic event in their life. When working with older adults, it is essential that staff members understand how trauma experiences can “show up”. Participants will learn effective ways to respond appropriately to these situations. Please register in advance.

Registration for the December Virtual NALO event is open. Check out details and the link to register on the New Affiliate Leader Orientation page on the Knowledge Center of MyHabitat.

Join this peer connection chat on Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. EST to talk about major gift qualification with representatives from other affiliates in small groups. Come ready to share and learn about successes, obstacles and opportunities focused on:

• Why do we qualify our donors?
• What’s the objective?
• What is your qualification process? What are you looking for?

Additional events are listed on the Knowledge Center of MyHabitat.

Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer engagement professional or just starting out, the Volunteer Program Assessment Tool helps pinpoint areas of opportunity for improvement and growth within your affiliate’s volunteer strategy and program. After submitting your responses, you'll receive an email with a customized spreadsheet that includes recommendations and links to resources that can address any identified gaps. These recommendations will help equip you to strengthen your volunteer program, enhance volunteer engagement and achieve Habitat's mission more effectively. Get started on your assessment today!

The Habitat Mortgage Solutions suite of e-learning courses is now available in Habitat Learns. These courses teach Fannie Mae standard mortgage underwriting practices that, when followed consistently, can result in the production of a more compliant, higher-quality loan. The courses also will help affiliates strengthen their underwriting skills.

During UN-HABITAT’s “Urban October” and in support of our Home Equals campaign, Habitat for Humanity is asking everyone globally to post a picture to their social media channels holding a sign that reads, ”Home Equals _______,” filling in the blank with a personal definition of what home means to them. The activation toolkit and a set of resources that will help promote this activation are now live on MyHabitat. We hope you will post your own picture of what home equals for you, using the #HomeEquals hashtag and encouraging your followers, friends and families to do the same.

On Nov. 9-12, players of the Property Brothers Home Design mobile game can play a limited-time event to benefit Habitat for Humanity. For each player who completes the event, Storm8 will donate $1 to Habitat for Humanity International, up to a total of $10,000.

From May 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024, 1% of the net sales price from the Blake Shelton x Lands’ End collection will be donated to Habitat for Humanity International, for a minimum donation of $100,000. The net price is the value at which a product is sold after all taxes and other costs are added and all discounts are subtracted.

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced proposed regulations that would guarantee overtime pay for most salaried workers earning less than $55,068 per year. Public comments on the draft regulations are due to the department by Nov. 7. Affiliates are advised to review the proposed rule to understand the potential impact on their operations and to consider providing input during the public comment period.

With the Habitat 2.0 financial model being considered for adoption as early as fiscal year 2025, it is crucial to ensure the accuracy of affiliate geographic service area boundaries and the alignment of Habitat for Humanity International and affiliate records. View your affiliate’s GSA as currently defined in Habitat’s records using the new GSA explorer app. You can learn more about how these boundaries are set on the GSA page. Please contact the Affiliate Support Center at USSupportCenter@habitat.org or (877) 434-4435 with any questions.

Watch this quick video tour of MyHabitat. You also can join a MyHabitat Live Tour, held twice each month, for more tips to help you get the most out of the platform.

More information

Affiliate Support Center
USSupportCenter@habitat.org
(877) 434-4435
Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Eastern Time
Friday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Eastern Time

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