Thomas Daschle: “13 years ago, Habitat for Humanity International, HFHI, decided to expand its services to include projects in my State.…”

“13 years ago, Habitat for Humanity International, HFHI, decided to expand its services to include projects in my State. Today, I would like to congratulate HFHI's 14 South Dakota affiliates on the occasion of the 200th Habitat home constructed in South Dakota since 1990. I believe I speak for all South Dakotans when I say that their services have been invaluable to many families in our State. The lack of affordable housing for the lowest income households is a serious problem across the country. According to the 2003 State of the Nation's Housing report issued by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, three in 10 U.S. households have housing affordability problems. More than 14 million households spend more than half of their income for housing, and 75 percent of them are in the bottom 20 percent of the population by income. Having to pay a disproportionate share of income for housing frequently leads to other problems and tensions for many families. Too often, the available housing is substandard, and overcrowded. Many of these families live on the edge, financially, and live in fear of eviction or foreclosure. Families may have to sacrifice spending for other basics, including food and utilities. Children in these families also tend to pay a price. They suffer when their parents have to work two or more jobs, or odd hours, sacrificing family time.”