Habitat for Humanity Awarded $4.8 Million to Fund 350 AmeriCorps Member Positions

ATLANTA, June 27, 2017 /3BL Media/ – The Corporation for National and Community Service has awarded Habitat for Humanity $4,887,750 in funds to support 350 AmeriCorps National member positions for 2017-2018. The funds will support Habitat AmeriCorps members who will serve in 36 states and in Washington, D.C.

AmeriCorps is a network of National Service programs that engage more than 80,000 Americans of all ages and backgrounds in intensive service throughout the U.S each year. Habitat for Humanity and CNCS have partnered together for more than 22 years to build Habitat’s capacity to serve more families in a need of a decent and affordable place to call home.  

During the 2017-2018 service year, AmeriCorps members will contribute more than 595,000 hours of service toward building or improving Habitat homes in 125 communities in partnership with 1,700 homeowners.

Despite the grant award, the future of Habitat’s AmeriCorps program is at risk of being defunded after the White House released its fiscal year 2018 budget request last month. The budget includes cuts to programs that help further Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to address affordable housing, including the Corporation for National and Community Service.

“The AmeriCorps program is a vital component of our work to partner with more families working toward a path to homeownership,” said Mark Andrews, Habitat for Humanity International’s vice president of volunteer and institutional engagement. “The program exemplifies the effectiveness of a public-private partnership, as Habitat covers approximately half the cost of each service member, delivering results on the ground at a much lower cost than direct government services. It is time for Congress to stand up for these critical programs that strengthen our communities and prioritize national service in this year’s budget process.”

Thanks to the hands and skills of more than 9,500 Habitat AmeriCorps members, 26,000 families have an affordable place they can call home. Through the program, Habitat AmeriCorps members also gain job skills and a path forward, as well as engaging 3.5 million volunteers to invest in their own communities.

To learn more about Habitat AmeriCorps and how to get involved, visit https://www.habitat.org/americorps.

About Habitat for Humanity

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 1,300 communities throughout the U.S. and in nearly 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org

About the Corporation for National and Community Service

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the nation's volunteering and service efforts. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.