Habitat for Humanity leader Laura Belcher has been in the thick of the issue. She will discuss the causes and some of the solutions.

Laura Belcher joined Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte in 2014. The organization’s mission is to remove barriers to affordable housing by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. During her tenure, Laura has overseen a 30% growth in production, to 75 new/recycled homes and 100 Critical Home Repair projects budgeted for FY2020. She led the effort in the creation and implementation of a 2016-2020 strategic plan, with the goal of serving 600 additional families. Implementation of the plan has resulted in more diverse housing solutions and an expansion in financial literacy offerings. In September, Habitat Charlotte crossed the milestone of serving its 2000th family. Laura has served on numerous committees of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI); she currently co-chairs the Collaborative Operating Model Executive Task Force and was elected to a 3 year term on the HFHI US Council. She spent the first 20 years of her career in corporate roles with Arthur Andersen, Wachovia Securities and Transamerica. Laura is a CPA, a graduate of the College of William and Mary, and spent 9 years in nonprofit work as CFO/COO of the Arts & Sciences Council prior to joining Habitat. She attributes her passion for Habitat to her church where she started volunteering and building houses over 20 years ago.