By Moryah Jackson
Every April, we recognize Financial Literacy Month. It is a time to spotlight the tools and resources that help individuals manage their money, build credit, and work toward long-term stability.
Established by the U.S. Senate in 2004, Financial Literacy Month was built on a simple, powerful idea that knowledge is power — it is the baseline for knowing how to read a credit report, understanding interest rates or how building a savings cushion can change lives.
After years of walking alongside families striving for stability, I have learned that knowledge without access isn’t enough.
In too many communities, housing costs are rising far faster than wages. As many of us know, the rule of thumb is that housing should cost no more than 30% of a household’s income. But when rent and mortgage prices soar while paychecks stay flat, that guideline becomes meaningless for millions of hard working Americans.
Even the term “affordable housing” sparks confusion. What one family can afford may be completely out of reach for another. That disconnect doesn’t just cause misunderstanding, it creates policy gaps that leave people behind.
Housing is a community issue with ripple effects across our economy, workforce, education and health ecosystems.
1. When families are house-burdened, they often cut back on food, transportation, or medical care.
2. When essential workers cannot afford to live in the communities they serve, local businesses struggle to hire and retain staff.
3. When students face instability or homelessness, academic success and long-term opportunity suffers.
Housing determines more than where you sleep. It shapes where you grow, learn, work, play and build your future.
Financial education is vital. But it cannot fix systems that are fundamentally out of balance. It is not enough to tell someone to budget better if they don’t have access to fair lending, affordable housing or livable wages.
So as we promote financial literacy, I want us to continue to consider the following questions:
1. What’s standing in the way of affordable homeownership?
2. How can we equip people with both knowledge and access?
3. Where are the policy gaps that allow hardworking people to fall through the cracks?
Because housing is not just about shelter. It is about opportunity, dignity and long-term stability.
At Habitat for Humanity, there is a common myth that we “give away houses.” The truth is far more powerful.
Future homeowners complete a comprehensive financial education program, contribute 300 hours of sweat equity and purchase their homes with a mortgage capped at 30% of their income. Over the past 40 years, Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity has built more than 280 homes, celebrated over 100 mortgage-free homeowners and revitalized more than 80 properties across Richland, Lexington and Fairfield counties.
When financial education meets opportunity, transformation happens.
Families gain a home, they gain the tools to manage a budget, the confidence to make informed decisions and the stability to plan for the future.
At its best, financial literacy does not just manage money. It unlocks doors. And home ownership is not just about having a house. It is about building a solid financial foundation to grow from.
Moryah Jackson is the Executive Director of Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity, where she leads community-driven efforts to expand access to affordable homeownership across Richland, Lexington, and Fairfield counties.
