Homes of Hope and Affordable Upstate partner in Rock Hill project
July 1, 2025
In a collaborative effort to strengthen the landscape of affordable housing in South Carolina, Homes of Hope and Affordable Upstate have finalized the transfer of 18 single-family rental homes in Rock Hill. This partnership safeguards the affordability of the units while supporting the continued growth and mission-driven work of both organizations.
The project reflects a shared vision: ensuring that South Carolina families continue to have access to stable, affordable housing—even as the region faces escalating housing costs and a significant shortage of quality affordable units.
“This transaction will be transformational in its impact, and more importantly, incredibly stabilizing for the families living in these homes,” said Don Oglesby, President & CEO of Homes of Hope.
The homes will remain affordable under the stewardship of Affordable Upstate, whose mission is to preserve affordability through intentional ownership and community-centered housing solutions.
This strategic decision allows Homes of Hope, a leading provider of affordable housing and workforce development in South Carolina, to maximize its capital needs while ensuring the long-term affordability of these homes for families who need them most. The sale reflects a shared commitment to addressing the region’s deepening housing crisis through thoughtful collaboration and forward-looking solutions.
South Carolina faces a dire shortage of affordable housing, with thousands of families burdened by rising rents and limited housing options. By transitioning ownership of the Rock Hill properties to Affordable Upstate, Homes of Hope ensures continuity in affordability while preserving the integrity of its mission and positioning itself for continued impact in the years ahead.
“Through a model that seamlessly integrates collaboration across sectors, Homes of Hope shows what’s possible when cities, nonprofits, investors, and developers unite around a shared vision,” said Mario Brown, Co-Founder & CEO of Affordable Upstate. “We are especially grateful for the Fieldmont Group and Clark Merritt, whose deep management experience and facilitation will play a pivotal role in preserving the legacy of affordability that Homes of Hope has established here.”
This collaboration exemplifies the type of cross-sector teamwork that is essential to solving South Carolina’s affordable housing challenges—balancing stewardship of existing assets with bold action to scale impact across communities.
About Homes of Hope
Homes of Hope is a nonprofit organization based in Greenville, SC, dedicated to providing affordable housing solutions and economic mobility opportunities to individuals and families in need. Since its founding in 1998, Homes of Hope has built 705 homes and graduated 337 men from the Men’s Workforce Development program, offering hope and a brighter future to the community. To learn more, please visit us at www.homesofhope.org.
About Affordable Upstate
Affordable Upstate is a real estate investment firm focused on redeveloping and redefining naturally occurring affordable housing in the Upstate of South Carolina. Since 2017 they have placed over $50 million of investor equity into socially responsible, environmentally enhanced workforce housing assets, resulting in a diverse and thriving portfolio with over 1,450 apartment units that satisfy the expectations of residents, investors, and communities. Learn more at Affordable Upstate.
