As the Executive Director of Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity, every day I am overwhelmed with the breadth and depth of crises caused by the dearth of affordable housing in Johnson County. Every. Single. Day. Likewise, every day I see that securing affordable housing is transformative for those who previously had to endure inadequate and/or unaffordable housing. Every. Single. Day. Because both the need and benefit are so significant, creating more affordable housing is both a moral and practical imperative for our communities. On November 4, my friends in Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty have an opportunity to secure a critical tool for developing more affordable housing by voting “Yes” on their respective Local Option Sales Tax ballot initiatives. It’s the right thing because one in three households in Johnson County spends too much on housing. This fact forces too many of us — our neighbors and loved ones — to make trade-offs that put our well-being at risk. Fortunately, and as our colleagues in Waterloo demonstrate, the Habitat model changes lives.[1] More specifically, those who do secure affordable housing report more satisfaction with their lives because they are healthier, happier, and better off financially. It’s a simple but powerful fact: affordable housing makes my life, your life, and our neighbors’ lives better. And because I wish for opportunity, health, stability, and fulfillment for everyone, more affordable housing is a necessary part of a just community. Supporting affordable housing is more than the honorable thing to do; it is also smart policy. Investing in people so they are healthier, happier, and financially stable also makes them more productive and capable. For the students in our communities, affordable, healthy, and stable homes lead to fewer sick days and less bouncing around from neighborhood to neighborhood, classroom to classroom, and school district to school district. Consequently, they are less likely to have gaps in their education and, thus, perform better in school. Likewise, adults are more likely to make valuable contributions to our local and regional economy and participate in civic life. This is important because stable, educated, and engaged residents are necessary for a healthy, dynamic, and problem-solving community. Put another way, successfully addressing the challenges that I care about depends on my neighbors’ ability and commitment. The same is true for you. [1] Jayswal et al. “The Power of Homeownership: The Case for Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity.” Journal of Public and Nonprofit Affairs. Vol. 10, no. 2 A local option sales tax isn’t a panacea. Instead, it is a reliable source of revenue that will help us to capture tax revenue from visitors who make their way to Kinnick on Saturdays in the fall, provide needed funding in the face of uncertain state and federal spending, and allow local leaders to address the greatest needs, especially the lack of affordable housing, in our communities. I ask you to keep these points top of mind as you consider how you will vote on November 4. In partnership, Scott Hawes | 
