Observing Juneteenth
Since our founding, our vision has been a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
In Maryland, 1 in 7 families spend more than half their paycheck on housing alone. Black individuals and families, however, face intentional and systemic racial discrimination as they pursue their dreams of owning of a home. Black households in the U.S. are 30% less likely to own their own home as compared to white households, and the racial homeownership gap continues to grow, especially with the additional economic pressure felt from COVID.
Addressing these inequities is critical to our work as we serve the populations of Baltimore and central Maryland. On June 19th, we mark Juneteenth — the oldest nationally-celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the U.S.— by closing our office on Monday and reflecting on our role in providing safe, decent, and affordable homes to everyone, but particularly to those historically affected by racial housing discrimination.
Join us as we continue to learn, educate, reflect, and act in solidarity.
- Watch the recorded +You: Closing the Racial Homeownership Gap in the U.S. panel discussion with Habitat CEO Jonathon Reckford and a panel of housing and racial justice experts as part of the Advancing Black Homeownership Initiative with Habitat for Humanity.
- Register to vote and learn about ways to support the Black Lives Matter movement.
- Read & watch additional recommended materials to learn about anti-racism and ways YOU can get involved.
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About Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake (www.habitatchesapeake.org) brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Since 1982, Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake has built more than 780 homes in 19 communities, providing a brighter future for 2,700 children and family members. Homeownership is proven to transform lives – improving health, increasing children’s chances of academic success and offering an opportunity to build wealth across generations. Likewise, homeownership enhances neighborhoods by bringing tangible investment, engaged, long-term residents, rising property values and a sense of community.
