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TO CONGRATULATE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FOR ITS OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE PALMETTO STATE AND TO DESIGNATE MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2022, AS WORLD HABITAT DAY IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN RECOGNITION OF THE ORGANIZATION'S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO INCREASE THE INVENTORY OF AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP IN OUR STATE.
Whereas, World Habitat Day was first designated by the United Nations in 1985 to reflect on the state of towns and cities and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter; and
Whereas, marginalization, inequality, social exclusion, high population density, and natural disasters are all significant causes of the lack of decent, affordable housing; and
Whereas, a minimum-wage worker in South Carolina must work 86 hours a week to afford a one-bedroom rental home at fair market rent; and
Whereas, South Carolina had the highest eviction rate in the United States prior to the pandemic, and in March 2022, 41 percent of renters behind on rent reported applying for emergency rental assistance through state or local programs; and
Whereas, the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority estimated that the lack of affordable housing cost the State 9.4 billion dollars in 2019; and
Whereas, the Prosperity Now Scorecard highlighted the racial disparity among South Carolinians by reporting a median net worth of $125,100 for white households and $9,640 for households of color; and
Whereas, the existing housing inventory does not meet current demand, particularly for lower-priced homes; and
Whereas, Habitat for Humanity South Carolina and its 29 affiliates believe that everyone deserves the opportunity for a better future, and that a decent place to live can remove barriers to opportunity, health, and success; and
Whereas, Habitat for Humanity invests in communities by helping households earning between 30 and 80 percent of the area median income to access and sustain affordable homeownership through home construction, rehabilitation, repairs, housing finance, and support services; and
Whereas, Habitat for Humanity provides an average monthly mortgage of $500 for a three-bedroom home, compared to the $1,225 fair market rent for a three-bedroom unit in South Carolina; and
Whereas, 4,544 homes have been built, rehabilitated, and repaired in 37 counties by the Habitat for Humanity network in South Carolina since 1978; and
Whereas, World Habitat Day provides an opportunity to bring awareness to the state of housing in South Carolina while recognizing organizations who contribute to creating more equitable and attainable affordable homeownership opportunities. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Habitat for Humanity for its outstanding accomplishments in the Palmetto State and designate Monday, October 3, 2022, as World Habitat Day in the State of South Carolina in recognition of the organization's continuing efforts to increase the inventory of affordable homeownership in our State.
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