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Habitat for Humanity affiliate consolidates, cites 181 homes served and a $2 million grant for Hardeeville project
Summary
A Habitat for Humanity representative told the committee the two local affiliates merged to serve Beaufort and Jasper counties, reported 181 homes built since 1990, and described a Hardeeville partnership backed by a $2,000,000 grant and a 10-unit development due to close next week.
At the Affordable Housing Committee meeting, a Habitat for Humanity representative described a recent merger of two local affiliates and outlined the nonprofit’s recent and planned work in Beaufort and Jasper counties.
The presenter said the merged affiliate has completed 181 homes between the two former affiliates since 1990 and that the organization is serving families through both new construction and repair work. She told the committee the organization is expanding beyond single-family new construction into duplexes, townhomes and partnerships with private developers to create mixed-income housing.
The presenter reported securing $2,000,000 in funding to support a project near Hardeeville that will use 161 acres to build homes. She also said a municipality on Hilton Head set aside $500,000 to purchase land for future housing on the island. In one public–private example described to the committee, a private developer built 10 units in Hardeeville that Habitat purchased and will sell to qualified homebuyers; the presenter said those buyers will close in time for Thanksgiving.
On selection and affordability, the presenter described Habitat’s typical eligibility range as roughly 30–80% of area median income (AMI), explained that applicants go through an application and volunteer-sweat-equity process, and said the organization sometimes adjusts requirements on developer-built projects (for one recent project Habitat waived some sweat-equity hours). She described program mortgage terms: a 0% first mortgage structured so payments will not exceed 30% of household income and a "silent" second mortgage that diminishes over time and is repaid if a homeowner sells early.
Committee members asked about background checks, foreclosure rates and mobile-home repair eligibility. The presenter reported a foreclosure rate of about 2% among the roughly 180 families served and said criminal-background reviews are part of qualification but are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. She also said Habitat is exploring alternative housing models, including containerized housing and small cottages, and invited interested committee members to site visits the organization is arranging.
The committee and attendees praised the affiliate’s merger and outreach; staff asked Habitat to return with additional information on new housing types and possible partnerships.
