$25,000 awarded to nonprofits addressing affordable housing in Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester Counties
CHARLESTON, S.C. – March 1, 2016 – The REALTORS® Housing Opportunities Fund (RHOF) has awarded $25,000 to 7 local organizations addressing affordable housing in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties. This winter’s funded projects will support a variety of nonprofit programs addressing areas such as home building, repair, and rehabilitation; homeowner education; financial literacy and rental assistance.
One of this winter’s RHOF grantees, East Cooper Habitat for Humanity (ECHFH), will use their grant on materials to build homes for the Theodore Road Community Development Project. This project is set for a lot in Northern Mt. Pleasant that will hold seven new homes. ECHFH and their volunteers construct simple, decent homes in partnership with families who are unable to qualify for a conventional mortgage, providing a “hand up” to local families. Homeowners are chosen based upon their fiscal responsibility and purchase the home with monthly payments under an interest-free mortgage which is paid over 30 years.
Another grantee, Operation Home Inc., will use their grant to perform critical roof repairs on homes of low-income families and individuals throughout the Tri-County. Requests for home repairs have increased considerably since October 2015’s historic flooding. Since its inception in 1999, this organization has completed hundreds of home repairs in excess of $1 million.
Metanoia will use their grant to augment their Financial Literacy and Homebuyers Education Program. This free, 8-week course builds upon individuals’ work to become financially stable. It encourages pursuit of homeownership, which connects to Metanoia’s philosophy that an increased number of financially stable families will contribute to economic development and revitalization in Chicora-Cherokee and the surrounding neighborhoods in North Charleston.
Established in 2003 as an endowment of Coastal Community Foundation by the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS®, RHOF distributes grants biannually to Lowcountry organizations who assist in the development, maintenance, or repair of housing for those whose dreams on homeownership are challenged by economic disadvantage. RHOF has awarded more than $820,000 since its founding. For more information about RHOF, please contact Ali Titus at ali@coastalcommunityfoundation.org or 843-793-6035 X101.
Winter 2016 RHOF Grants & Funded Projects
Habitat for Humanity of Charleston – Roofing materials for Pope Francis House, Joppa Way, North Charleston
Habitat for Humanity of East Cooper – Materials for Theodore Road Community Project
Historic Charleston Foundation – Rehabilitation of 218 Romney Street, a Freedman’s cottage
Increasing H.O.P.E. Financial Training Center – Rehabilitation of 403 Madeline Drive, Goose Creek
Metanoia – Financial Literacy & Homebuyer’s Education Program
One80 Place – Rental assistance to qualifying comprehensive services participants
Operation Home Inc. – Roof repairs for Tri-county homes with flood damage
About Coastal Community Foundation: Coastal Community Foundation empowers individuals, families and organizations to make a lasting impact through permanent, endowed funds for charitable giving. The Foundation serves Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry and Jasper counties. To learn more, go to www.coastalcommunityfoundation.org or call (843) 723-3635.
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