Habitat Greenville launches Project B.I.G.

May 1, 2024

More than 100 people gathered Tuesday for the launch of Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County’s latest program to create more effective avenues to affordable homeownership, with a focus on increasing the number of Black homeowners in the region.

Project Built in Greenville (B.I.G.) aims to bring together all kinds of minority-owned and minority-led businesses with an emphasis on the construction, home-building and banking industries, said Joe Fields, Vice President of Equity for Habitat. The program is being created in partnership with Bank of America.

“Bank of America is honored to invest in Project B.I.G. as part of our longstanding partnership with Habitat Greenville,” said Stacy Brandon, president, Bank of America Upstate South Carolina. “We remain committed to helping advance homeownership for communities of color, as we recognize the ability to purchase a home is foundational to economic prosperity and the building of generational wealth.”

Project B.I.G. is part of Habitat Greenville’s Advancing Black Homeownership Project, which launched last Fall to help develop a racial-equity lending strategy and property acquisition program across the region.

Habitat Greenville will hold series of networking events and classes as well as provide resources to black owned, minority owned, and locally owned contractors, developers, and other businesses who provide services towards the growth of Greenville as part of Project B.I.G. over the next few months.

“This is an important step in helping to solve the lack of Black homeownership in Greenville,” said Monroe Free, Habitat Greenville’s CEO. “This effort is about strengthening Greenville’s communities and its people.”

 

About Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County

Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County opened its doors in 1985 to bring families, community partners, and volunteers together to construct affordable, energy-efficient homes that help families build strength, stability, and self-reliance. As of April 2024, Habitat Greenville has completed the construction of 410 homes. Habitat Greenville ReStores are located at 3033 Wade Hampton Boulevard in Taylors and 1818 Woodruff Road in Greenville. Call 864-312-5016 for free donation pickups. Learn more at www.habitatgreenville.org.