Habitat Executive Director selected to become a Riley Fellow

Habitat for Humanity South Carolina Executive Director, Nancy Lee, has been selected to participate in the Furman University Riley Institute’s Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI). Riley DLI is a program to equip leaders with the ability to leverage diversity to improve organizational outcomes and drive social and economic progress in South Carolina.

The State 20 under 40 recognizes Habitat South Carolina Leader

Congratulations to The State Newspaper's "20 under 40" class of 2022. Among the honorees are several friends of Habitat - individuals who don't shy away when challenges and hurdles arise on the path to a stronger, healthier, and more equitable community. Habitat for Humanity Executive Director, Nancy Lee, was recognized for her part in making the Midlands an even better place to live and work.

MacKenzie Scott donates $3.5 million to Habitat in three SC counties

In the first half of 2021, MacKenzie Scott and her husband, Dan Jewett, announced that they had donated $2.7 billion to “equity-oriented nonprofit teams working in areas that have been neglected.” Three affiliates in South Carolina will receive more than $3.5 million in transformational funding from American author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. The unrestricted gift will allow Habitat for Humanity of York County, Habitat for Humanity Georgetown County, and Edisto Habitat for Humaity to strategically advance affordable homeownership and equitable access to neighborhood revitalization for South Carolinians. Habitat for Humanity South Carolina is unbelievably grateful for the impact on capacity and service that this generous gift will have for three SC communities. Read more about the reach of the $436 million gift across the Habitat for Humanity International network below.

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The Rep! (100.7FM) features Habitat for Humanity

The Rep! is South Carolina's only radio show with two sitting members of the General Assembly doing a live show and taking calls from listeners. The show recorded on September 22, 2021 featured: Representative Micah Caskey (South Carolina House of Representatives, District 89 - Lexington County); Representative Chris Wooten (South Carolina House of Representatives, District 69 - Lexington County); -Nancy Lee (State Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity South Carolina); Mary Louise Resch (Director of Philanthropy, Central SC Habitat for Humanity).

Learn more about Habitat for Humanity's work in South Carolina and/or connect with your local affiliate, visit: https://www.southcarolinahabitat.org.

Visit https://makethepointradio.com/shows/the-points-local-experts/chris-wooten to learn more about The Rep! on The Point 100.7FM.

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Habitat for Humanity struggles with high construction costs

(ASSOCIATED PRESS) June 25, 2021 - Reeling from massive cutbacks in volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and grappling with high construction costs, Habitat for Humanity leaders would be the first to admit they’re struggling.

The past year has felt like one punch after the other, they say. First hit: Habitat’s local affiliates had to limit volunteers over virus concerns, forcing them to fork over more money to hire contractors. Second hit: Revenue was dented by temporary closures of ReStores, the reuse stores operated by local Habitat organizations. The third: Construction delays caused by pandemic-induced kinks in the supply chain, which make affiliates wait longer for supplies.

“As the cost to build increases, we’re seeing a lot of affiliates absorbing that financial burden themselves,” said Nancy Lee, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity South Carolina, which supports 29 local affiliates in the state. “That is not a sustainable approach.”

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Habitat for Humanity Struggles With High Construction Costs

(THE CHRONICLE OF PHILANTHROPY) June 25, 2021 - Construction of new homes and repairs on owner-occupied houses continue for the Habitat network, despite pandemic challenges. Habitat for Humanity South Carolina shares with Haleluya Hadero how local affiliates are overcoming burdens like increased costs of materials, delays in the supply chain, and working with fewer volunteers.

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Habitat for Humanity struggles with high construction costs

(THE WASHINGTON POST) June 25, 2021 - Habitat is nothing if not innovative and committed to affordable homeownership. Faced with challenges in 2020 and now 2021, we continue to seek solutions to build houses for first-time homebuyers. Haleluya Hadero of the The Associated Press spoke with Nancy Lee of Habitat for Humanity South Carolina and John Lattimore of Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County to learn more about how the Habitat for Humanity International network is responding to rising costs and delayed availability of building materials.

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Habitat for Humanity feeling the pain of high lumber prices

(WLTX-19) June 7, 2021 - High lumber prices and a shortage of building materials are a concern for affordable homeownership in South Carolina. WLTX-19 speaks with Habitat for Humanity South Carolina and Edisto Habitat for Humanity to learn more.

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Habitat for Humanity is Masking a Difference across South Carolina

Habitat to distribute 175,000 masks + 2,800 gallons of hand sanitizer among nonprofit partners.

(COLUMBIA, SC) July 13, 2020 — As the coronavirus continues to impact the Palmetto State, South Carolina Association of Habitat for Humanity announces a statewide effort to ensure nonprofits have the resources needed to safely serve communities during the pandemic. Masking a Difference is a one-day collaboration which will distribute 175,000 masks and 2,800 gallons of hand sanitizer among nonprofit organizations and Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) partners at 17 Habitat locations throughout SC.

 
 
 

Habitat for Humanity tells Congress housing stability needed now, more than ever.

(COLUMBIA, SC) May 6, 2020 — Long before COVID-19 arrived in the U.S., more than 18 million households in the U.S. were spending more than half their income on housing - leaving little or no margin for lost income or unexpected health care costs.

 
 
 
Nancy Lee, Executive Director of South Carolina habitat for humanity

Increasing access to affordable housing with new leadership.

(COLUMBIA, SC) Nov. 7, 2019— Ever-increasing housing costs and income inequality has led to 1 in 7 South Carolina households spending at least half of their income on housing, labeling them as severely cost-burdened. Further, the SC Housing Authority recently reported that 32% of households in the state are unable to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, and transportation.

For these reasons and more, Nancy Lee, who was announced today as the new executive director of the South Carolina Association of Habitat for Humanity Affiliates, advocates that the importance of home affordability cannot be overstated.

 
 
 
South Carolina Cost of Home Advocate

South Carolina Association of Habitat for Humanity Affiliates Joins the #CostofHome Campaign

(COLUMBIA, SC) June 12, 2019— Nearly 19 million households across the United States are spending at least half of their income on a place to live, often forgoing basic necessities such as food and health care to make ends meet.

The stability that housing should bring continues to remain out of reach for many people.