When Jimmy Carter left the White House, he focused world attention on peace and the transfer of power. But his personal efforts went in teaching Sunday school and building houses to strengthen communities. He understood the micro is the foundation of the macro.

Carter’s personal involvement in Habitat for Humanity was part of a lifetime commitment that went beyond good words to good deeds. He saw clearly that a home is not a house, but a place of security, comfort, and productivity within a community.

Habitat for Humanity serves Indiana through more than fifty local offices. In addition, Habitat has stores where pre-used furniture and other household materials and necessities can be purchased or donated.

But why? Governor Braun’s State of the State address did not acknowledge a housing crisis or poverty or homelessness. His singular contribution to any housing issue was lower property taxes.

Will lower taxes repair a roof? Will they put in a new furnace? Will they ensure a door holds out the winter wind or keep the cool air in when we need the air conditioning?

There has been considerable talk in Indiana and the nation about a housing crisis. But not finding the house of your dreams is not worthy of national attention. The real housing crisis is not having the funds to repair a roof, to insulate the windows, to make needed repairs.

Housing is the private infrastructure of the community. All the grants and fund raising for remodeling an old theatre, holding a festival, establishing other urban amenities do nothing to restore or replace dilapidated housing.

Without open hostility toward urban sculpture, bicycle paths, downtown potted plants, or restoring the grandiose residences of the past, we need to recognize and put money to work protecting the health and productivity of our citizens. One vital means of doing this is maintaining the existing housing stock and building new, moderate houses for households of low-to-moderate income.

There is a way to do that. Working with Habitat or other like-minded organizations, an income tax credit for dwelling repairs could be given to property owners housing low-income residents. That takes a burden off the property owner/resident and does not steal money from local governments and schools.

Local foundations could come forward with investments in their communities by funding the certification of needed repairs by Habitat or some other agency without increasing public employment. The last seems to be an evil in the minds of our legislature in revolt from traditional values. (Am I saying our solons are revolting?)

What is so positive about Habitat is they are fundamentally local organizations, energized by local leadership, making tangible contributions to the future of their communities, and helping current residents. Habitat meets the housing problem directly to the extent it can. Others advocate for more governmental action, which most often is not forthcoming.
Morton J. Marcus is an economist formerly with the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. His column appears in Indiana newspapers, and his views can be followed his podcast.

© 2025 Morton J. Marcus

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