For more than four decades, Pickens County Habitat for Humanity (PCHFH) has been dedicated to making homeownership accessible to families in need. Since 1981, we’ve built or renovated nearly 120 safe, decent, and affordable homes, impacting over 325 individuals. As the second-oldest Habitat for Humanity affiliate in South Carolina, we have a long history of working alongside churches, youth groups, student organizations, and thousands of volunteers to strengthen our community through homeownership.
A Growing Need in Pickens County
The need for affordable housing continues to rise, and PCHFH is committed to meeting this challenge. In recent years, we have focused on building three new homes annually. Looking ahead, we are exploring ways to expand our impact, including an exciting potential partnership with the City of Clemson to build a new neighborhood. While this project is still in the planning stages, it represents our long-term commitment to creating more homeownership opportunities in our area.
Preparing for the Future: The Role of Federal Housing Programs
While PCHFH does not currently use federal housing programs, many Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the country rely on them to make homeownership possible for low-income families. As funding for nonprofit housing initiatives fluctuates, we recognize the importance of having access to these resources in the future.
Three key federal programs that support Habitat’s mission also promote self-sufficiency, reduce government dependency over time, and strengthen local economies.
Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP)
Rather than simply handing out homes, SHOP empowers families to build their own equity through sweat equity—reducing the cost of homeownership while fostering a strong work ethic. This program also minimizes the need for future government assistance by creating stable homeowners who are less likely to require social services. Since the funds go toward land and infrastructure rather than direct housing subsidies, it supports long-term community investment without ongoing taxpayer burden.
HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)
This program is a cost-effective way to revitalize struggling neighborhoods without heavy-handed government intervention. By providing grants to help build or rehabilitate homes, HOME attracts private investment, increases property values, and expands the local tax base—ultimately reducing reliance on public assistance. In many cases, these grants help working-class families remain in their communities rather than being displaced by rising costs.
Section 502 Single-Family Housing Direct Loan Program
Instead of forcing low-income rural families into unstable rental situations or government-subsidized housing, this program offers affordable loans with responsible terms—ensuring recipients pay back what they borrow rather than relying on handouts. By fostering homeownership in rural areas, it stabilizes small towns, supports local businesses, and strengthens the tax base, reducing the need for future intervention.
These programs make smart financial sense, not just for the recipients, but for communities across the country. They prioritize self-reliance over dependency, create long-term economic benefits, and reduce future government spending by fostering stability. In short, they’re a hand-up, not a handout.
Pickens County Habitat for Humanity is advocating for continued funding of these federal programs. Many Habitat affiliates depend on them, and we must ensure they remain available as an option for the future.
How You Can Help
To ensure that organizations like ours can continue to provide affordable housing, we encourage our supporters to:
- Contact Your Representatives – Let them know that funding for housing programs is essential for communities nationwide.
- Stay Informed – Follow updates on housing legislation and share the importance of affordable homeownership with others.
- Support PCHFH – Whether through volunteering, donating, or spreading awareness, your involvement makes a difference.
At Pickens County Habitat for Humanity, we believe in building more than houses—we build hope, stability, and a stronger community. With your support, we can continue our mission and prepare for whatever challenges the future may bring.
Join us in advocating for a future where everyone has a place to call home.
