Habitat for Humanity lobbied on Capitol Hill this week for changes to the country’s housing policies. The Habitat on the Hill conference had support from 200 Habitat for Humanity leaders, homeowners and Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C.  

“I have a very long and intimate relationship with the local affiliate [back home in North Carolina] and Habitat in general to make federal regulations not effect affording housing,” Meadows told HOH. He first met with Habitat in fall 2013. The congressman now reaches out to the group from a legislative standpoint.  

In North Carolina, Meadows visited the local Habitat affiliate and found out about their challenges. “The head of the local affiliate shared concerns about Dodd-Frank and how it was hurting them financially to provide additional homes,” he said. When he reached out to members about this issue, he was surprised no one had raised it before.  

The Habitat conference was aimed at urging lawmakers to support programs and policies for affordable homeownership opportunities.  

He is currently working with North Carolina Democratic Rep. G.K Butterfield to address the issues he found. “It’s a great bipartisan effort,” Meadows said.  

Habitat’s chief executive officer Jonathan Reckford told HOH, “Habitat on the Hill provides Habitat staff and supporters a critical opportunity to initiate or further their ongoing relationship with their lawmakers.” Reckford considers now a critical time to call for “responsible housing reform.”  

Going on a Habitat build is on Meadows’ bucket list, he said. He hopes he can work on one when he is back in his district.

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