Nonprofit leader advocates for funds in DC

SARASOTA — Habitat for Humanity Sarasota Executive Director Renee Snyder was in Washington, D.C., last week with over 340 Habitat leaders, homeowners and volunteers to encourage members of Congress to support affordable housing.

Snyder used the trip to warn leaders that proposed federal cuts will intensify the affordable housing challenge facing Sarasota and other areas in the region.

“We are in Washington, D.C., to ask our representatives on Capitol Hill to make greater investments in affordable housing, not less," Snyder says in a statement.

According to a press release, a budget proposed by the White House recently would cut, and in some cases eliminate, funding communities used to finance new affordable homes.

Federal HOME funds and volunteer labor are used to reduce monthly mortgage payments for Habitat homeowners. The release says Habitat Sarasota used HOME funds, along with individual and corporate gifts, to help 13 Habitat homebuyers this year.

In meetings with U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, Habitat Sarasota is asking Congress to "set aside the flawed budget proposal and instead work to preserve the funding for affordable housing programs."