The housing crisis is one of the most pressing global challenges. Every day, 1 in 3 people on the planet wake up without access to a safe, affordable home.
Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County (HFHWC) joins hundreds of Habitat organizations worldwide to launch Let’s Open the Door, a new global campaign taking place in Habitat’s 50th anniversary year and bringing this urgency forward through pop-up installations, on-the-ground builds, and digital storytelling across more than 60 countries.
This coordinated effort is designed to help ignite a global movement around an issue shaping health, equity, and economic resilience.
In Wicomico County, 31.6% of households are cost-burdened, meaning nearly one in three families spend more than 30% of their income on housing—often forcing difficult choices between rent, food, healthcare, and transportation.
“There is a lack of supply for every income level,” said Hilligoss. “And one thing that people aren’t talking about is the preservation of existing homes that we already have. The three biggest home improvement requests we receive are a new roof, a new HVAC system, and a walk-in shower for mobility and safety access,” Hilligoss said. “Those are the basics, but they are also expensive. We need Wicomico County and the surrounding communities to invest in the safety of our homeowners. Give. Volunteer. Speak up and advocate. Let’s open the door to brighter futures. Help us close this country’s housing gap, starting right here.”
Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County is bringing Let’s Open the Door to life through local action—inviting residents to volunteer through May’s Women Build month and the yearlong Faith Build initiative that invites people from all faiths together to build homes. HFHWC also invites the community to attend home dedications and advocate for policies that expand access to affordable housing across Wicomico County.
To learn more about the Let’s Open the Door campaign, visit habitat.org throughout the year for updates on the traveling pop-up door installations, celebrity collaborations, and more.
About Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County
Habitat for Humanity works to make homeownership of safe, affordable homes a matter of conscience and action. Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County was founded in 1987. Since then, the affiliate has served 94 families with affordable homeownership and 150 families with critical home repairs. For more information, visit www.wicomicohabitat.org.
