There is something most Americans can agree on, regardless of background or beliefs: everyone deserves a safe place to call home. A stable home is the foundation upon which families build their lives, raise their children, pursue their ambitions, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Yet for millions of hardworking Americans, that foundation remains frustratingly out of reach.
A crisis in every community
The housing crisis is not a distant problem — it is happening in cities and towns across every state in the country. Rising costs and limited inventory have created a widening gap that shows no sign of closing on its own. The nation’s homeownership rate recently dropped for the first time in eight years, falling to 65.1% nationally, driven largely by a sharp decline in ownership among adults under 35. At the same time, insurance premiums have surged 57% since 2019, and property taxes continue to climb — placing homeownership further beyond the reach of working families who are already stretched thin.
The true cost of unstable housing
The consequences reach far beyond a monthly payment. Research shows that children in inadequate housing face greater risk lifelong — from infections and mental health challenges to lower educational attainment and a higher likelihood of poverty in adulthood. Conversely, homeowners carry an average net wealth 400% higher than renters with similar demographics and earnings — a striking gap that reveals just how central stable housing is to long-term financial security and upward mobility.
Solutions that work
The good news is that solutions exist, and they work. A full 98% of homeowners report that owning a home improved how they felt about themselves, and 57% have more savings since purchasing. Beyond the individual, homeowners are 1.3x more likely to join a civic association or neighborhood group than renters — meaning stable housing doesn’t just change lives, it builds stronger, more connected communities for everyone.
A cause that belongs to everyone
Affordable housing is a cause that belongs to everyone. It speaks to the value of self-sufficiency — homeownership builds wealth and independence. It speaks to the value of opportunity — access to a decent home should not be determined by circumstance or zip code. And it speaks to what most Americans believe at their core: that hard work should be rewarded with stability, dignity, and a place to belong.
How you can help
This month, we’ll be donating to Habitat for Humanity, an organization meeting the immediate disaster-caused needs of individuals, families, and communities.
