Homes of Hope Earns Palmetto Housing Achievement Award
May 11, 2015
Earns statewide recognition for LoCAL Housing program
GREENVILLE, SC – Homes of Hope, a local nonprofit dedicated to rebuilding communities through developing energy-efficient affordable housing and rebuilding the lives of men overcoming addictions through job training and mentoring was presented the Palmetto Housing Achievement Award in the Creative Partnership category by South Carolina State Housing and Finance Development Authority (SC Housing) at the Annual Palmetto Affordable Housing Forum in April 2015.
The Creative Partnership Award demonstrates innovative coordination of community resources and fund leveraging. Homes of Hope was nominated by the City of Greenville and accepted the award based on the success of the organization’s LoCAL Housing program. LoCAL stands for (Long-term; Compact; Affordable; LEED standard) housing. The program provides a solution to three difficult problems: Job Training — Energy Efficiency — Asset Building.
Since the program’s launch in 2012, LoCAL Housing has provided a needed alternative to public housing, mobile homes, or dilapidated rental housing for poverty-level families making between $1000-$1300/month. The goal is for residents to pay no more than $375 per month in rent/mortgage and energy costs.
LoCAL homes are built by men overcoming drug and alcohol addiction enrolled in Homes of Hope’s job training program. Through the job training LoCAL construction provides, men have the opportunity to earn a Quick Job certification in Basic Residential Construction through Greenville Tech. Men are learning skills in both construction and life that will keep them on the right path going forward.
Collaboration drives the LoCAL success with sponsorships provided by corporations, churches and individuals, and neighborhood improvements like improved lighting, playground and common areas added by the city of Greenville. Partnerships with local homeless service providers provide a funnel of deserving families to occupy these homes.
Homes of Hope has recently completed its 7th LoCAL home, built in partnership with volunteers from Fluor Corporation. LoCAL homes #8 and #9 are currently under construction in partnership with Resurgent Capital Services.
One of the residents of this program was also a winner in this year’s “What My Home Means to Me” essay contest at the Palmetto Affordable Housing Forum.
