Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina launches $100 million housing initiative serving Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties

In response to one of the most urgent challenges facing Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina (CCF) launched the Tri-County Housing Futures Fund (THFF), a $100 million initiative aimed at addressing the shortage of safe and affordable housing in the region.

The ambitious goal to raise $100 million in five years will fuel a three-pronged approach to expanding housing opportunity through community partnership:

• Improving strategies to create new for-sale and rental homes
• Providing repair opportunities to existing homes
• Providing capital to finance housing

THFF will use blended capital through a combination of grants, loans, and co-investment to support a variety of projects and multiply impact. All housing created through THFF will be deed protected for 50 years or more to create long-term affordability.

Leading Tri-County Housing Futures Fund is Geona Shaw Johnson, who served as Director of the City of Charleston’s Department of Housing and Community Development under three mayoral administrations. She transformed Charleston’s housing landscape by championing neighborhood revitalization, fueling economic growth, and opening doors to first-time homebuyers. Under Johnson’s leadership, the City of Charleston supported more than 50,000 households with housing and related services.

“We are proud to announce Geona Shaw Johnson as the founding CEO of Tri-County Housing Futures Fund. There is no one else in the region who has the depth of knowledge, experience, and dedication to providing affordable housing to our residents,” said Darrin Goss, Sr., President & CEO of Coastal Community Foundation. “Geona knows our housing landscape, has had major success creating housing opportunities in Charleston, and most importantly, knows the major roadblocks preventing progress so she can build strategies focused on efficiently creating the greatest impact for our region.”

Nearly 40% of Tri-County families spend a third of their income or more on housing. In 2005, a family of four in the Tri-County region could live on approximately $36,000 per year. 20 years later, it requires $89,000 to cover basic housing costs, utilities, childcare, and food*. THFF plans to create opportunities for a wide range of incomes, addressing the full spectrum of community need.

The lack of housing options to support a range of income levels, along with rising costs, means the problem is only growing. At this rate, there will be an estimated shortage of 34,000 homes by 2040. This issue shows up in other aspects of the community. It puts strains on public services, increases traffic, reduces the available workforce, creates challenges for health and education, and weakens the overall economic vitality of the region.

“If we don’t address this issue, the results affect all of us, including future generations of South Carolinians. Cross-sector collaboration, coordination, and resource sharing are paramount to improving efficiency, which we believe will result in an increase in housing construction,” said Geona Shaw Johnson, CEO of Tri-County Housing Futures Fund. “I am proud that we already have some amazing partnerships in place, with board members from Trident United Way, Roper St. Francis Healthcare, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Mungo Homes, Carolina One, and JHW Enterprises, and investors eager to contribute financially.”

THFF plans to make its first community investment by early 2027. To get involved or contribute, visit tricountyhousing.org.

JPMorganChase Awards Initial Funding Grant for THFF

This announcement coincides with a new $500,000 grant from JPMorganChase to support the launch of the Tri-County Housing Futures Fund. The grant will help establish the organization’s leadership, governance, and operational capacity while supporting efforts to attract additional public, private, and philanthropic funding needed to preserve and create affordable housing throughout the region.