My First Habitat on the Hill in Washington, DC

My name is Katie Stringer-Ryan, and I am the Executive Project Coordinator at Habitat Minnesota. In February, I joined 20 Habitat for Humanity leaders and homeowners from Minnesota in Washington, D.C., for my first Habitat on the Hill. Along with more than 400 advocates from across the country, we came together to remind lawmakers that everyone deserves a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. 

On my first day in D.C., I had the chance to present a mapping tool developed by Habitat Minnesota to help Habitat leaders identify their lawmakers and legislative districts. The conversation was energizing and showed the strong work happening across the Habitat network. That evening, a large networking reception with other advocates and Habitat staff set an exciting tone for the week ahead. 

The next morning, we started the day with a keynote presentation featuring policy advisors working on housing solutions. We learned about the ROAD to Housing Act, a major bipartisan bill aimed at lowering housing costs and increasing supply. The speakers shared that this bill is considered the most comprehensive housing legislation in over a decade. It showed how important this moment is and how much our advocacy matters in helping move these policies forward. 

Later, I attended a session led by Habitat leaders from across the country. They shared tools and policies to help Habitat homeowners stay in their homes long-term. Some of these included home repair programs, efforts to lower property taxes, and beneficiary deeds. It was encouraging to see the creative ways Habitat offices support homeowners after they purchase their homes. We then moved on to a poster session where Habitat staff shared advocacy successes from their communities. Habitat Minnesota’s advocacy director, Jeru Gobeze, presented a poster on the work that led to us receiving a Homeownership Investment Grant from Minnesota Housing. 

That evening, state teams met to prepare for meetings with lawmakers. We talked about who would lead each meeting and the main policy priorities we wanted to share. These meetings are usually 20 minutes or less, so it is important to have a clear plan. More experienced Habitat advocates gave guidance to newer staff and homeowners. As someone new to Habitat on the Hill, I was a bit nervous to meet with senators and members of Congress. Thankfully, my colleagues who had been there before helped me feel prepared and more confident. 

The next morning, the excitement in the room was clear as we got ready for our meetings. We gathered for breakfast and received last-minute tips from Habitat for Humanity International staff before boarding buses to the Capitol. It felt a little intimidating at first, but walking alongside hundreds of Habitat advocates made me feel more confident. Because we had a tight schedule, a small group of us got to ride the private tram that connects the Senate office buildings to the Capitol. This was a fun and unexpected experience! 

As a staff member of the Minnesota office, I joined several meetings with local Habitat teams and their lawmakers. Throughout the day, we met with Senator Klobuchar, Senator Smith, and staff from Representatives Finstad and Craig. In each meeting, a homeowner shared their story. Then Habitat staff talked about their work in the district and our policy priorities, including programs like SHOP, the HOME program, USDA Section 502, and the ROAD to Housing Act. We ended each meeting by thanking lawmakers and inviting them to visit a Habitat build site in their district. 

One of my biggest takeaways was how familiar lawmakers were with Habitat’s work. They seemed genuinely interested and wanted to know how they could support us. There were even a few times when lawmakers saw us in the halls and stopped to say how much they admire Habitat for Humanity. I also saw how powerful it is when homeowners share their lived experiences. Their stories captured attention and helped deepen the conversation. It was especially encouraging to see bipartisan interest in expanding affordable homeownership. 

After our meetings, I was able to visit the Senate Gallery during a vote. It was fascinating to watch and see many senators I recognized at work. I left the Capitol feeling tired but inspired. Looking back, I feel very grateful for my time at Habitat on the Hill. Getting to know peers from across the country while advocating for change was an unforgettable experience. It can be easy to feel like your voice doesn’t make a difference, but Habitat on the Hill reminded me that it does. I left feeling energized for the work ahead. 

If you’ve never attended Habitat on the Hill before, I highly recommend it. Here are some tips for first-timers like me: 

• Lean on experienced advocates to guide you. My experience was better because of their advice. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  

• Remember that lawmakers are your neighbors. It’s less intimidating than it seems, and they want to hear from you.  

• Storytelling and lived experience go farther than facts and figures. Giving homeowners space to share their stories is incredibly powerful.  

• Wear comfortable shoes. I logged over 20,000 steps in one day. Leave your heels at home and bring good walking shoes! 

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You can attend Habitat on the Hill in Minnesota!

Join us on the Hill

Rally together with Habitat supporters from across the state at the Minnesota State Capitol on Thursday, April 16! You’ll experience an inspiring program, have the chance to meet with your legislators, and you’ll get all the training you need to advocate effectively.

Habitat on the Hill is completely free. All you need to bring is your passion for Habitat’s mission. You’ll receive a light breakfast, boxed lunch, and Habitat swag. 

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