A little over ten years ago, a group of concerned citizens came together to discuss solutions to the housing crisis impacting the city of Charleston. The group, the Mayor’s Council on Homelessness and Affordable Housing, quickly realized that the challenge of affordable housing demanded more focused attention and therefore, created a sub-committee to address the issue. Hence, the Charleston Housing Trust was formed with the mission to provide a dedicated, ongoing source of funding for the production and preservation of affordable.
Ten years later, and a couple of new names and revised mission statements, the South Carolina Community Loan Fund continues to address the issue of affordable housing and community development in underserved communities.
Here’s a look back at our accomplishments over the past ten years:
2005: Awarded a $1M Housing Assistance Partnership Program (HAPP) grant by the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority as seed capital for housing development financing
2005: Awarded first loan in the amount of $15,000 to the United Methodist Relief Center to rehabilitate a home in Cross, South Carolina
2007: Partnered with the Affordable Housing Coalition of South Carolina in successfully introducing and passing the William C. Mescher Local Housing Trust Fund Enabling Act
2007: Applied for and was certified by the U.S. Department of Treasury as a Community Development Finance Institution
2008: Awarded first Technical Assistance Award from the U.S. Treasury’s CDFI Fund
2009: Awarded a $7.4M Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) grant by the SCSHFDA for the acquisition and rehabilitation or redevelopment of foreclosed, vacant, blighted and abandoned properties
2009: Awarded first Financial Assistance Award from the U.S. Treasury’s CDFI Fund
2010: Expanded service area to Georgetown County
2011: Expanded service area to the City of Beaufort and Town of Port Royal
2013: Expanded program services from exclusively affordable housing to include healthy food enterprises, community facilities, and community businesses
2013: Underwent the Aeris (CARS®) process and received a rating of A+3
2014: Expanded service area to the entire state of South Carolina
2014: Changed name of the organization to the South Carolina Community Loan Fund
As we celebrate our 10th Anniversary, we reflect on the past, embrace the present, and prepare for the future. We hope that you’ll join us as we continue to work to revitalize South Carolina communities.
