Carthage students help advocate for affordable housing on Capitol Hill

Four Carthage College students joined hundreds of nationwide Habitat for Humanity organizations and housing advocates in a united call to Congress: It’s time to address the housing crisis with urgency.

From left to right: Hailey Walsh ’28, Andrew Kirchhoff ’25, Jonathan Reckford (CEO of Habitat for Humanity), Shane Hermsen ’28, and Abigail Young ’25.The dwindling supply of affordable starter homes across America is a crisis that denies millions of families the foundation for stability and opportunity while straining communities and hindering economic growth. In response, Habitat for Humanity is stepping up to advocate for bold solutions, many of which were highlighted at the 2025 Habitat on the Hill, the organization’s annual legislative event.

Carthage’s Habitat for Humanity worked alongside other advocates, urging congressmen to invest in both new and existing solutions to meaningfully expand the supply of starter homes:

• Support the Homeownership Supply Accelerator, Habitat’s innovative federal policy concept designed to rapidly increase construction and rehabilitation of affordable starter homes
• Finalize the fiscal year 2025 appropriations process and provide robust funding for housing and community development federal programs in the fiscal year 2026 budget, including:
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD Bill):
    • No less than $20 million for the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program
    • No less than $1.5 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program
  • Department of Agriculture (Ag-Rural Development Bill):
    • No less than $1.25 billion for the USDA Section 502 Direct Loan Program

This passionate group of Carthage students is taking bold steps to inspire a life of service within their community. By attending Habitat on the Hill, they felt they gained the skills necessary to further encourage and reinforce advocacy efforts that will make meaningful change. Their commitment to service extends beyond policy advocacy, as they have actively participated in multiple build days with Habitat for Humanity of Kenosha.

Beyond construction efforts, these students have expanded their outreach by providing food service and forming impactful connections with homeless individuals in Racine. Their work exemplifies the power of young advocates dedicated to creating lasting change through hands-on service and legislative engagement. By leveraging their experiences at the conference, they aim to empower others to take action, strengthening their community one effort at a time.

Habitat for Humanities meets in Lentz Hall Room 412 every Tuesday at 4:15 p.m.

Sponsoring Department, Office, or Organization:

Carthage College Habitat for Humanity

For more information, contact:

Shane Hermsen: shermsen1@zhanmi.net