Hartsville council approves forgivable loan to House of Hope for local resource center

The Hartsville City Council approved final reading of Ordinance 45501, authorizing a forgivable loan to support House of Hope's expansion into Hartsville. City staff said the item had been tabled in December to complete contract updates and that the revised loan extends the repayment term and includes provisions to mitigate potential clawback concerns.

John Weiss Jr., CEO of House of Hope of the PD, described plans for a donated building at 212 West Carolina Avenue to serve as a resource center where counselors, case managers and partner nonprofits can provide coordinated services at no rent. "We are very, very excited to make this become a resource center," Weiss said, explaining the model of co-located services to reduce barriers for people seeking help.

Weiss summarized program capacity and outcomes: House of Hope serves roughly 125 people in the region, operates a men's life-recovery program (seven to nine months) and a women's-and-children's program (described as a two-year long program), and said Hope Village's tiny-cottage community is full to capacity.

Council moved, seconded and approved the ordinance by voice vote; the transcript records a voice vote and the mayor announcing that the measure passed. The ordinance enables execution of loan documents and related matters and staff and the organization's CEO described next steps for facility use and service coordination.

Council discussion focused on contract clarifications and timeline questions; John Weiss answered program-length and capacity questions during the discussion.