Preserving History, Building Futures: Metanoia's Golden Dream Townhomes in Liberty Hill

In the heart of North Charleston’s Liberty Hill neighborhood, a historic piece of land—held in the Lecque family for over 150 years—has been transformed into a beacon of affordable housing and community preservation. With support from the South Carolina Community Economic Development Fund (CED Fund), SCACED member Metanoia received a $75,000 grant in 2022 to help bring the Golden Dream Townhomes to life.

This groundbreaking development stands as a model for equitable growth in a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood. The Lecque family, descendants of freedmen who originally purchased the land in 1871, partnered with Metanoia to create eight affordable rental units ranging from one- to three-bedroom apartments. Under a 50-year ground lease, the townhomes will ensure long-term affordability for residents of the community while allowing the Lecque family to retain ownership of their ancestral land—a powerful example of community-led development.

The response to Golden Dream Townhomes was overwhelming, with over 200 applications submitted within two weeks of opening. The townhomes now provide quality, stable housing for families earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income (AMI), ensuring that long-time residents of Liberty Hill can continue to call their neighborhood home.

Funded by SC State Housing Finance and Development Authority and the SC Department of Commerce’s Community Economic Development fund, this project reflects Metanoia’s commitment to fostering economic opportunity while preserving the cultural and historical identity of Liberty Hill.

Through strategic partnerships and mission-driven investment, Metanoia and the Lecque family are proving that affordable housing can be both a tool for progress and a bridge to the past, ensuring that Liberty Hill remains a place where families can thrive for generations to come.

Now, we ask for your help to ensure projects and programs like this from nonprofits across the state remain viable. With all of the most recent appropriation of CED Fund dollars granted out by the end of 2023, we need you to reach out to your local representative and encourage them to appropriate money out of this year's state budget to replenish the CED Fund!

We're hard at work this legislative session advocating for a $3 million appropriation to the CED Fund grant program so nonprofits can continue addressing the critical needs of their community through innovative and sustainable solutions. Click the link below to find and contact your local representative and voice your support for #CEDinSC! 

Building Stronger Futures: How Anderson Interfaith Ministries (AIM) leverages the South Carolina Community Economic Development Fund

In South Carolina, the Community Economic Development Fund (CED Fund) has played a crucial role in helping nonprofits address the critical needs of their community. In Anderson, SCACED member and CED Fund grantee Anderson Interfaith Ministries (AIM) used the funds to support their Housing Rehabilitation and Workforce Development programs! Through strategic funding and community-driven initiatives, AIM has transformed lives by fostering economic stability, housing security, and workforce readiness.

In South Carolina, the Community Economic Development Fund (CED Fund) has played a crucial role in helping nonprofits address the critical needs of their community. In Anderson, SCACED member and CED Fund grantee Anderson Interfaith Ministries (AIM) used the funds to support their Housing Rehabilitation and Workforce Development programs! Through strategic funding and community-driven initiatives, AIM has transformed lives by fostering economic stability, housing security, and workforce readiness.

After being awarded $200,000 in 2023 from the CED Fund, AIM used the funds to leverage over $421,000 of impact through these programs in the Anderson community! One of AIM’s most significant accomplishments has been helping low-income homeowners remain in their homes by providing essential repairs that address health and safety concerns. With support from the CED Fund,  26 homes were repaired, helping families live in safer environments without the financial burden of costly maintenance.

Beyond housing, AIM’s Employment Pathways program has been a game-changer for individuals striving for economic independence. By offering training and career support with their grant from the CED Fund, AIM helped 72 participants gain new skills, secure better job opportunities, and achieve long-term financial stability. For mothers looking to advance their education and careers, the Women And Children Succeeding (WACS) program provides critical support, helping them earn Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees while balancing family responsibilities.

The success of AIM’s programs is a testament to the power of community-driven funding. Their holistic approach to community economic development—focusing on financial management, education, and career planning—has helped individuals and families reach their full potential.

Their story is just one of many from the grantees of the most recent round of grants from the CED Fund. With the most recent appropriation completely granted out by the end of 2023, it's now time to urge your local legislator to re-appropriate money out of the state budget to the SC CED Fund so nonprofits can continue serving their communities!

This legislative session SCACED's working to secure a $3 million appropriation in the state budget to replenish the CED Grant Program, and we need your help in asking the legislature to act. Join us in encouraging your local representative to appropriate $3 million in this year's state budget to fund the CED Grant Program and improve the quality of life for underserved communities!