Council approves forgivable loan ordinance to support House of Hope resource center

Hartsville's City Council approved final reading of Ordinance 45501, authorizing a forgivable loan to the House of Hope and related loan documents after a brief discussion and comments from the nonprofit's CEO.

City Manager Daniel Moore introduced the ordinance as a previously considered item (tabled in December for contract updates). The ordinance authorizes the city to provide a forgivable loan to the House of Hope and to execute associated loan documents; staff said contract updates and an extended loan term had been completed since the item was last tabled.

John Weiss Jr., CEO of the House of Hope of the Pee Dee, described plans to use a donated building at 212 West Carolina Avenue as a resource center offering counseling and case management, and to host other nonprofits under one roof at no rent. "We're very excited to make this become a resource center... Monday through Friday, someone can walk through those doors and get help from our counselors and our case managers," Weiss said, adding that the organization currently serves roughly 125 people in its programs and runs long‑term recovery and family programs.

Council members asked about program lengths and operations; Weiss said women's programs run about two years, and men's programs run seven to nine months with transitional housing options. After brief discussion the council took a voice vote; the mayor called for those in favor to say "I," and the motion passed. No roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript.

The ordinance was approved on final reading at the meeting; staff and the House of Hope indicated they will coordinate next steps for executing loan documents and program implementation.