HOME Act helps lower cost of Habitat homes
Alpena- Last Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Housing Opportunities Made Easier (HOME) Act which allows for home appraisals to be donated to organizations like Habitat for Humanity.
The legislation was proposed by Representative Dave Trott, a Republican of Michigan, and Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio. The legislation now sits in the Senate’s corner. Home appraisals range right around $1,000 dollars and for some families, that can be a breaking point. Before, appraisal donations could be considered in violation of the law. Now, they would be considered donations to organizations that receive tax-deductible charitable contributions.
In 2017, Habitat for Humanity helped just over 30 thousand low-income American families with construction and repairs. Habitat hopes that they’ll be able to build more homes with the passing of this legislation. Habitat of Northeast Michigan built 2 homes in 2017 but Director Ted Fines believes they will be able to build a few more in 2018.
With the approval of this Act, organizations like Habitat can worry a little less about costs and focus more on helping those in need of a home.
