Governor Haley signs construction material tax exemption bill into law
June 15, 2015
COLUMBIA, SC – Habitat for Humanity affiliates in South Carolina will soon be granted extra resources to increase their impact across the state, thanks to a bill signed into law by Gov. Nikki Haley this month.
The legislation, H 3568, grants tax exemptions on construction materials for nonprofits in the state that build homes for low-income citizens. The law applies to all homebuilding nonprofits, but as the largest homebuilding nonprofit in the state, Habitat for Humanity will experience the greatest overall benefit, and was the chief proponent of the bill.
Representative Garry Smith of Simpsonville authored the legislation, with support from Senator Wes Hayes of Rock Hill, and the bill received near unanimous support in both the House and the Senate.
There are 36 affiliates in South Carolina, and together they build nearly 70 homes per year. Each affiliate can expect to save approximately $4,000-$5,000 per house with this exemption, according to Greg Thomas, Executive Director of the South Carolina Association for Habitat for Humanity Affiliates. A Habitat build costs an average of $70,000, so the savings from this law can go directly back into additional builds, allowing affiliates across the state to more easily meet the needs of their communities.
“The fact that the bill was signed into law this quickly speaks to the universal nature of Habitat’s mission,” said Thomas.
About the South Carolina Association for Habitat for Humanity Affiliates
South Carolina Association for Habitat for Humanity Affiliates (SCAHA) was officially chartered in August 2012 to support the 36 Habitat affiliates within the state of South Carolina who actively work to eliminate poverty housing and improve communities. SCAHA’s mission and purpose is to expand the capacity of South Carolina affiliates by increasing access to resources, facilitating communication between the affiliates and the community, and providing statewide representation leading to the creation of thriving communities that support families in need.
