Our approach to advocacy is based on decades of on-the-ground experience and policy expertise.
In addition to lifting our hammers, we must also lift our voices in support of adequate shelter.
Building is part of the solution, but less visible aspects of housing like laws, regulations, systems, and rules about land and development are critical components in eliminating barriers to safe, healthy, affordable housing. From our deep understanding of housing and its central role in providing opportunities for families, we work to reform policies and laws in a collaborative, nonpartisan way.
Rent and homeownership costs are skyrocketing while wages are not keeping pace. Far too often, families struggle to make ends meet.
The stability that home should bring remains out of reach for too many families. They are forced to make impossible choices between a roof over their heads or health, education, and even food.
When the cost of home is your family’s future, the cost is too high. When the cost of home is any family’s future, that’s something none of us can afford.
Housing that is affordable
costs no more than 30% of a family’s household income.
17 million
U.S. households are
severely cost-burdened.
(paying more than 50% of income for housing)
Home prices have risen nearly
60%
nationwide since 2019.
1 in 7
families pay half or more of their income on housing.
Sources: Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, State of the Nation’s Housing (2025); America’s Rental Housing (2026); Federal Housing Finance Agency House Price Index. Statistics reflect the most recent national housing affordability data available as of 2026.
ADVOCACY EFFORTS
San Diego Habitat for Humanity’s
2026 Legislative Priorities
At San Diego Habitat for Humanity, we advocate for policies that expand access to affordable homeownership and help more families achieve long-term housing stability. In 2026, our state advocacy efforts are focused on two key priorities:
Habitat leaders from across California gathered for the 15th Annual Advocacy Day in Sacramento, to advocate for investments that expand affordable homeownership opportunities for working families.
Restore Funding for CalHome
San Diego Habitat for Humanity is working alongside Habitat for Humanity California and affiliates across the state to urge the Governor and Legislature to include a $500 million investment in the CalHome Program in the 2026–2027 State Budget.
CalHome is California’s only state program dedicated to funding the production and preservation of affordable homes for purchase. Restoring funding will help expand homeownership opportunities for lower-income families, support the development of new affordable homes, and strengthen communities through greater economic stability and wealth-building opportunities.
San Diego Habitat for Humanity President & CEO Kwofi Reed provided testimony in support of AB 939 before the Senate Housing Committee. The bill passed the committee (8-0) and was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Advance AB 939: Expanding Access to Affordable Homeownership
San Diego Habitat for Humanity is proud to champion AB 939, legislation that modernizes California’s Density Bonus Law and helps affordable homes reach qualified homebuyers more quickly.
AB 939 would allow qualified nonprofit homeownership organizations to purchase affordable for-sale homes created through the Density Bonus Law and connect them with income-qualified buyers without unnecessary delays. By streamlining the process, the bill helps ensure affordable homes do not sit vacant and can more efficiently serve the families they were intended to benefit.
Together, these priorities support a stronger affordable homeownership ecosystem and help create pathways to stability, opportunity, and generational wealth for working families across California.