“Action is the antidote to despair.” ~ Joan Baez

Asheville Habitat stands with those in Minnesota and across the United States mourning the injustice endured by our African American neighbors. Black lives matter.

We recognize the institutional and systemic racism that exists in education, employment, housing, health, and public safety and the persistent racial disparities that result. This must change.

Asheville Habitat works every day to close the racial homeownership gap and expand access to stable and healthy homes. For 37 years, Asheville Habitat has built dozens of thriving diverse neighborhoods defying the lies behind residential segregation. Successful Habitat mortgages disprove the myths that justify “redlining” and predatory lending. Most important, we have empowered families to build a shelter against other forms of disparity.

We’ve done a lot but we have more to do. Let’s put love in action. Let’s bring people together. Let’s build homes, communities, and hope.

Here are some ways to work towards racial equity.

• Support organizations doing the work. Asheville Habitat is one, and also Pisgah Legal Services, YWCA, Shiloh Community Association, Building Bridges-Asheville, Green Opportunities, ABIPA, Racial Justice Coalition, and Christians for a United Community – to name just a few local organizations.
• Learn the history. There are numerous ways to learn how years of racist policies have impacted our communities of today. Start here:
  • Go on DeWayne Barton’s local Hood Huggers Tour.
  • Read The Color of Law, Race for Profit and/or Evicted.
  • Watch Just Mercy and/or 13^th.
  • Check out the website Mapping Prejudice.
• Stay informed. Sign up for Shelterforce Weekly and subscribe to Race Forward or Code Switch
• Be an advocate. Use your voice – and your vote – to help undo the racist policies that endure today and help close the racial gap in housing, education, employment, etc. Sign up for our Advocacy Alerts today and make sure you are registered to vote.
• Talk to each other. Continue to have those important and often difficult conversations with friends and family. Help build the community you want to live in; one where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Here are some resources on talking about race, how to be an ally to black people, and anti-racism.
• Put your values into action. Habitat has long provided an opportunity for people to participate in the change they want to see in the world. Whether you volunteer with Habitat or another organization doing the work, don’t miss what may be the most important opportunity of your lifetime.