Habitat affiliates in Laurens and Greenville merge to create more affordable housing

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LAURENS, S.C. — Using an all-volunteer team of dedicated board members working with the community, Habitat for Humanity of Laurens County has done an amazing job for the past 20 years of meeting the need to create affordable housing across our area.

However, as the demand for more housing opportunities increase, it is time to expand the home building and renovation efforts in Laurens County. That is why Habitat for Humanity of Laurens County is partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County to expand services.

“This is a big step forward for us,” said Lacresha Dowdy, Chairwoman of the Habitat Laurens Advisory Board. “This will help us meet growing needs for affordable housing in Greenville County.

Under this new agreement, Habitat Greenville will provide financial, management and leadership resources that will benefit the people of Laurens County by creating more opportunities for people to buy their own homes as well as provide for revitalization projects of existing owner-occupied homes. Both of these efforts help strengthen families and neighborhoods across Laurens County.

Habitat of Laurens County will now have a full-time staff member for the first time under this plan, which allows for the nonprofit to offer more for the people of Laurens County. Ben Barron, a South Carolina native, will serve as the Director of Operations for Laurens County.

“I’m excited about the opportunities we have to grow and create new opportunities in Laurens,” Barron said.

Habitat Greenville was chosen as this new partner because it went from a completely volunteer team to a mission-driven organization with a full-time CEO in 2009. Since then, Habitat has doubled the number of homes it has built each year; started doing renovations to existing homes; increased fundraising ; and have been honored numerous times for their dedication to creating affordable housing solutions.

“This is a new opportunity to help change the lives of families in Laurens County and to strengthen the community at large,” said Monroe Free, President and CEO of Habitat Greenville.

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 May 2023, Habitat Greenville has completed the construction of 405 homes. Habitat Greenville received the 2017 Builder of the Year award from EarthCraft, and in recognition of financial health, accountability, and transparency, maintain a 4-Star Charity status by Charity Navigator. 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.