The 2018 Greenville County, South Carolina Affordable Housing Study explored the connection between the affordable homeownership provided by Habitat and the positive changes experienced by low income families. The impact on physical, emotional and financial well-being is dramatic and inspiring.

habitat person
That is our impact in the community. That is our impact on families. That is our impact on you.

Testimonials

The Community Believes in Habitat Making Progress for the Community — and for the Future.

Habitat’s model is proven internationally and locally. Hundreds of families have become Habitat homeowners. These families have the ability to provide necessities such as food, transportation, medical care, and potentially, to send their children to college. I think some changes have to happen one family at a time, and when you give a family an affordable mortgage and the financial literacy and skills to manage a major asset like a home, it will change generations of that family.

— Bob Morris, President, Greenville Community Foundation

Certainly, home ownership is a big predictor of the success of children. If you speak to any of our principals at our Title I elementary schools and ask them what the turnover of students is in their elementary school, they’ll tell you, 'in excess of 50%.' That is, 50% of the children who start the year at a school don’t finish the year at that school. You can imagine how that affects education and continuity of education. Children who live in homes owned by their parents are not part of that group that “churns;” therefore, they have a much better opportunity for stability in their homes, for stability in their schools, and to achieve stronger educational results. It’s a BIG factor.

— Dick Wilkerson, Retired CEO, Michelin North America Foundation

Education is the driver for all kinds of jobs that are here today and will be here in the future. We need our young people, starting at a very early age, to value education, not only through high school, but beyond high school. Habitat’s homeownership study points out the importance of stability in the home which is so vital to children’s academic success. The homeowner’s participation and contribution to their own success really does make Habitat a unique and valuable program.

Ted Hendry, Retired President, United Way of Greenville

Habitat gives people hope to see past the challenges that they face and the barriers that they have to overcome to succeed. They just need somebody to give them that extra helping hand and give them some hope, and say, 'We’re here to help you along, to get over this hurdle, and you can succeed on your own…' and I think that’s what Habitat is about.

–– Dr. Keith Miller, President, Greenville Technical College