Leveraging funds provided in part by MacKenzie Scott's transformational donation, Habitat for Humanity International is launching a new initiative to address the racial homeownership gap—which now stands at nearly 30 percent, the widest it has been in more than 40 years.

Habitat's Advancing Black Homeownership initiative deepens our commitment to increase homeownership opportunities for Black individuals and families—and address the racial and systemic bias that has stymied access to homeownership for generations—through programs that will help end the social and economic disparity many Black people and communities of color continue to face.

Habitat is initially investing more than $25 million over the next three to five years—with a goal of raising $100 million or more—to develop and launch a slate of new programs, including an equitable commercial lending strategy and property acquisition fund through Habitat Mortgage Solutions, our community development financial institution.

"These efforts are designed to help Black families build intergenerational wealth through homeownership and other strategic supports, such as developing more inclusive communities, increasing the availability of affordable homes near public transportation and jobs, and transforming concentrated areas of poverty into areas of opportunity," said Adrienne Goolsby, senior vice president of the U.S. and Canada for Habitat for Humanity International. "Ultimately, we want to reduce the impact a century of discriminatory housing policies has had on the Black community."

Other initiative programs include financial coaching and counseling to help Habitat affiliates address the needs of applicants along their homeownership journey; a national Black homeowner advisory group to help Habitat for Humanity International develop strategies and implement programs to help increase Black homeownership; expanded advocacy outreach through the Cost of Home campaign; and collaborative efforts with affordable housing partners. Funding opportunities will also be made available to Habitat affiliates doing innovative work to help increase Black homeownership.

"Our mission is driven by our theological imperative to seek justice and to have mercy. Doing so through this work, we put God's love into action and help further our mission to build homes, communities and hope," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International.