TO CONGRATULATE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FOR ITS OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE PALMETTO STATE AND TO DESIGNATE MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2021, 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 is recognized annually on the first Monday of October; and

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, high-population density, social exclusion, and natural disasters are all significant causes of the lack of decent, affordable housing; and

Whereas, Habitat for Humanity South Carolina and its affiliates serve as nonprofit housing organizations that bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope; and

Whereas, Habitat for Humanity South Carolina and its 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 South Carolina expands the capacity of twenty-nine local affiliates to enhance access to affordable homeownership through advocacy, resource development, education and training, and disaster preparedness and response; and

Whereas, the Habitat for Humanity network in South Carolina collectively invested 33.6 million dollars in 2020, helping 232 families as they achieved their goal of homeownership; and

Whereas, serving thirty-five counties in South Carolina, Habitat affiliates have built over 3,014 new homes, repaired 1,185 houses, and rehabilitated 167 homes since 1978. 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 4, 2021, 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.