Advocacy Focus in 2025

One issue that continues to receive bipartisan support is housing. It is clear that there is a shortage of affordable housing in our region and across the country – this is especially true of homes for ownership. In response to this, Habitat International as well as affiliates from across the country, including our Greater San Francisco affiliate, are committed to advocating banding together to drive pro-housing policy. We have outlined below the focus areas of our advocacy for this year, and as the year moves forward, we’ll keep you updated on progress and how you can get involved.

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Increasing affordable homeownership SUPPLY

Tangible steps to achieve this include:

  • Creation of Federal Homeownership Supply Accelerator
  • Create and extend tax incentives for starter homes
  • Make land and properties more available for affordable starter homes

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Ensure equitable homeownership ACCESS

Tangible steps to achieve this include:

  • Reduce barriers to families using vouchers for homeownership
  • Increase appropriations for direct loan programs
  • Provide assistance to help first-generation homebuyers

Improve homeownership RESILIENCE

Tangible steps to achieve this include:

  • Invest in home repair programs for low-income homeowners
  • Develop solution for homeowner’s insurance with low-income homeowners in mind
  • Support funding of the community Development Block Grant – Disaster Response program

Voices of Advocacy

Keeping Families Home: A Student’s Perspective on Housing

Juliana, a third-generation San Franciscan and Stanford public policy graduate student, reflects on how her family roots and experiences growing up in San Francisco shape her support for the Family Zoning Plan, her pursuit of equitable housing policy, and her belief that San Francisco’s true strength lies in its diverse cultural heritage that keeps families connected across generations.

Advocacy in Action

Glancing Back While Charging Forward

DECEMBER 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, Holden Weisman, Director of Policy & Advocacy reflects on our challenges and achievements, sharing gratitude for recent wins, and looking ahead with hope toward our advocacy campaigns in 2026.

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KQED: Housing Advocates Calling for More State Funding to Support First-Time Homebuyers

DECEMBER 2025

Listen to KQED’s coverage of the Habitat advocacy push to restore $500 million to CalHome – the state’s only funding for building and preserving homes for ownership. You can hear from CEO Maureen Sedonaen, as well as homeowner, Andie who speaks to the impact of owning her own home.

Listen Now

ABC 10: Advocates rally at Capitol urging restoration of CalHome funding

NOVEMBER 2025

On November 17, Habitat for Humanity California, homeowners, state leaders, housing advocates and our CEO, Maureen Sedonaen, came together to call on Governor Newsom to restore $500M for CalHome, the tool we need to build homes and open the door to generational stability for working families across California.

watch here

A New Season for Advocacy at Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco

OCTOBER, 2025

Fall marks a new chapter for advocacy at Habitat Greater San Francisco. Holden Weisman, Director of Policy & Advocacy, highlights recent progress and outlines how our new Advocacy Plan for FY 2026 will help advance affordable homeownership across the Bay Area.

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State Budget Approved: No Affordable Homebuilding

JUNE, 2025

Holden Weisman, Director of Policy & Advocacy, shares the disappointing news about CalHome, what it means for Habitat and other self-help housers, and for members of our community.

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Habitat on The Hill 2025

FEBRUARY, 2025

Read our Memo from our CEO: My week in Washington with Habitat on The Hill 2025, where Maureen ASedonaen outlines the advocacy and impact of this year’s Habitat on The Hill.

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State Funding for Homeownership in Jeopardy

JUNE, 2024

California considers slashing the only state funding for affordable homeownership as housing prices skyrocket.

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Habitat CA Supports Affordable Housing Legislation

APRIL, 2024

Maureen Sedonaen Habitat Greater San Francisco CEO and Habitat CA Board Chair expressed support for AB 1893 in a press conference with CA Attorney General Rob Bonta.

Read the Press Release

Memo from our CEO: My Week in Washington

FEBRUARY, 2023

CEO, Maureen Sedonaen joined hundreds of affordable housing advocates in Washington DC for Habitat on the Hill.

Rea the blog post

Affordable Homes Now - Habitat backs SF Proposition D

SEPTEMBER 2022

This November, San Franciscans can boost affordable homebuilding by voting to cut the red tape that ties up residential construction projects in the city.

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Menlo Park residents urged to vote 'no' on Measure V

SEPTEMBER 2022

Habitat is proud to join a constellation of affordable homebuilding advocates in urging Menlo Park residents to vote ‘no’ on anti-housing Measure V.

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CalHome fully funded after Habitat state budget victory

JULY 2022

Affordable homebuilding received a significant boost when the CalHome program was funded to the tune of $350 million in the California 2022–2023 state budget thanks to Habitat’s campaign.

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Maureen Sedonaen speaks for AB 2445 in Sacramento

APRIL 2022

Habitat Greater San Francisco CEO Maureen Sedonaen testified in Sacramento for AB2445 which would reduce the number of affordable home projects blocked by frivolous environmental lawsuits.

WATCH SEGMENT

Lawmakers rally for ownership at state capitol

APRIL 2022

Lawmakers from across California (and across the aisle) gathered in Sacramento to support Habitat’s #FullyFundCalHome campaign to fund the production of affordable homes for ownership.

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Push for ownership in Washington D.C. lobbying blitz

FEBRUARY 2021

Habitat for Humanity affiliates from across the U.S. pushed for key federal programs that promote affordable homebuilding and allow more working families to own their own homes.

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Habitat GSF amicus brief backs Housing Accountability Act

SEPTEMBER 2021

A state appeal court has upheld the constitutionality of the Housing Accountability Act and limited local governments’ ability to stymie home building.

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Habitat urges action to protect affordable builders

APRIL 2020

Habitat GSF has asked the Judicial Council of California to revisit emergency rules that could leave affordable homebuilding stalled throughout the state.

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For all press and media enquiries please contact info@habitatgsf.org

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