Charleston Habitat for Humanity

Charleston Habitat for Humanity joined the affordable housing effort in 1989. The affiliate’s earliest service was partnering with the local community to transform the Low Country of South Carolina after a Category 5 hurricane ripped into the Southeastern Seaboard in September of 1989. Hurricane Hugo was the costliest storm the country had ever seen at that time. In its aftermath, the federal government declared more than half of South Carolina's 46 counties disaster areas, and official economic estimates pegged the widespread damage at more than $5 billion. Public assistance and insurance money post-Hugo wasn't the only thing that transformed the area – housing nonprofits were heavily relied upon in Charleston. The city once lined with old houses now found a lot of them were at ground level or wiped away by the storm.

CHFH has been able to assist the community with its formation and continue serving the community long after the tragedy had passed. We are dedicated to eliminating substandard housing through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to families in need.

Habitat focuses on a population not served by others in the affordable housing arena - the low to moderate income family living in tough conditions, with high rent, higher aspirations and the inability to obtain a conventional mortgage.

Charleston Habitat for Humanity operates with a philosophy of offering a "hand-up, not a handout" to our partner families, people who meet income guidelines that traditional financing agencies cannot serve. CHFH provides a package of services including mortgage lender, home builder, social support provider, recruiting and training center, and retailer.

CHFH is able to build safe, affordable and sustainable homes for workforce families by empowering volunteers to assist with the construction of our homes. Volunteer labor reduces the cost of the homes we build by 50%, allowing the partner family the ability to afford homeownership when they would otherwise not qualify. This manpower is a key component of our business model and allows us to deliver our mission in a sustainable fashion to the hardworking families of the community who need it most.

CHHF also works as a mortgage company providing no-interest mortgages for 30 years to low-income families. Currently, the fair market rent for a 2-bedroom rental in the Charleston area is $1,600, compared to the average mortgage payment for a Charleston Habitat family which is approximately $500. Not only are the homeowners saving on monthly housing costs, they are also building equity by owning their own home. Homeowners' savings on the no-interest mortgage can range from $104,000 to $140,000 over the lifetime of the loan. Because we hold the mortgages, we are able to work with the families on a case-by-case basis to keep them in their homes even in the face of economic uncertainty. Most importantly, our team works to ensure that all our homeowners are prepared for the responsibility of homeownership before purchasing their home. CHFH supports its partner families before, during and after the purchase of their homes by providing financial and homeownership educational classes and one-on-one financial counseling.

For some, home, and the safety and security it entails, can feel like an unattainable dream. We are committed to making affordable and safe housing a reality for low income families.