Home ownership is one of the most dynamic tools a person can use to build a strong and stable future. Stats abound on the positive impacts, but one finding I'll note is how it impacts health: families who live in quality housing experience fewer health issues, dedicated 2x as much of their income to their health and take more preventative measures to stay well. All the evidence strongly suggests access to home ownership is a tangible way to improve people's lives across the board, however, women are disproportionately shut out.

You might ask why this is - issues ranging from gender pay gaps, uneven child care responsibilities that consume time and financial resources, to very housing-specific statistics that show higher rates of mortgage denials despite superior payment performance, all add to the barriers keeping women from owning their home. These issues become even more pronounced and difficult when you add the well-documented barriers people of color face when buying homes and seeking loans.

But we're doing something about it, one home at a time. I'm grabbing my hammer, strapping on my tool belt, and joining in Habitat Chicago's Women Build in October - alongside 300 other fantastic women and some powerhouse friends - to knock these barriers down.

Together, we will completely fund and begin building the home of a woman-led family AND celebrate all of the women purchasing affordable homes with Habitat for Humanity Chicago. All donations go directly to the build and Habitat for Humanity Chicago.

When a woman purchases a home with Habitat for Humanity Chicago, she doesn't just build a house. She builds her wealth and a better future for herself, her family and her neighborhood. And this is something I'm incredibly excited to have even a small part in.

You can make a difference. Help me reach my goal so we can change the lives of our fellow Chicagoans together. I appreciate any support you can give - big, small, or somewhere in between.

Thanks!
Haley