As part of Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to raise awareness of housing insecurity in Alamance County, students from the Elon University Campus Chapter of Habitat hosted a discussion forum on affordable housing at the Oak House in Elon. N.C. Sen. Rick Gunn and Sonyé N. Randolph, community development administrator for the City of Burlington, came to share their different viewpoints and involvement on the topic, as well as how students could take action.
Elon’s Campus Chapter of Habitat for Humanity in March hosted a discussion forum designed to raise awareness of housing insecurity in Alamance County.
Students gathered around tables for coffee and conversation at the Oak House on March 10 with N.C. Senator Rick Gunn and Sonyé N. Randolph, community development administrator for the City of Burlington, who shared their different viewpoints and involvement on affordable housing, as well as how students could take action.
“I think the event was a great way to broaden the scope of our work with Habitat for Humanity,” said Olivia Duffield ’20, who has served as the Habitat chapter’s student director for three years, adding “When we speak to our representatives and learn about the causes behind housing insecurity, we are in a better position to tackle the systemic issues that cause someone to need a Habitat house in the first place.”
While the campus chapter engages students weekly in service shifts (before the impact of the virus suspended the chapter this semester) at both the Habitat ReStore and build site, the chapter student leaders wanted to learn more about the issue and how to advocate for more affordable housing in our area.
The event was part of the Habitat advocacy campaign known as Cost of Home which highlights the large portion of household income spent on housing among low-income families, and a part of the North Carolina Habitat’s Legislative Week of Action which was designed to engage Habitat volunteers in advocacy on a local level by connecting with your local legislators during a week they were not in session at the capital.
The goal for the event, according to Sarah Williams, the Habitat chapter campus advisor and assistant director for the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement, was to provide a space and format where students could engage directly with one of their senators and a local expert in affordable housing to learn how they could advocate. Part of why a coffee shop was chosen as the venue was to help create an event with intimate and authentic conversation where they could ask questions and hear from others in our community.
“I learned how difficult it can be to gain attention or a spotlight on your specific issues and needs when there are so many other needs that are just as important. It is worth advocating for accessible and affordable housing though because a stable home creates a strong foundation for families, improving other aspects of their lives.” said Audrey Harris ’20, another Habitat student leader who has served in her role for three years.
The Elon University Habitat for Humanity works in affiliation with Habitat for Humanity of Alamance County to raise awareness of housing insecurity and work towards providing affordable housing in Alamance County. The chapter, chartered in the 1988-89 academic year, was one of the earliest campus chapters to launch around the nation behind Baylor University which started in 1987 and was the first campus chapter that committed to funding and building a Habitat house a year.
This year, the chapter is completing its 29th home. For more information on the chapter as well as how to donate or volunteer, visit the chapter’s website.