COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Homeless No More broke ground Tuesday on Grand Village, an affordable housing community for families, at the former site of Grand Motel on Two Notch Road.
Grand Village is the newest development in HNM’s Live Oak initiative, which provides attainable housing for families with children. The community will provide 30 homes at affordable rents suitable for families.
“Every family deserves a place to live, a neighbor to know, and a community to be part of. Grand Village makes that possible,” HNM President and CEO Lila Anna Sauls said. “This project has been almost three years in the making, and none of it would have been possible without the dedication and generosity of our incredible partners.”
Project funded through multiple partnerships
The $12.8M project is a collaborative effort by numerous partner organizations including the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority, United Way of the Midlands, Richland County, SC Community Loan Fund, Dominion Energy, First Citizens Bank and the Central Carolina Community Foundation.
“We know the Midlands is facing a shortage of an estimated 50,000 units of attainable housing, and addressing that need will take all of us,” United Way of the Midlands President and CEO Sara Fawcett said. “That’s why we’re working alongside partners like Homeless No More and investing in our community’s ability to develop new, innovative housing solutions that reach the people who need them the most.”
Community center included in development
Grand Village includes the James E. Christopher Community Center, named for a long-time HNM board member and advocate for vulnerable families. The center will serve as a hub for services such as children’s mentoring programs, financial literacy classes, and community gatherings.
Grand Village is part new construction and part rehabilitation of the derelict Grand Motel, which was built in the 1950s. HNM acquired the property in 2023.
“Meaningful second chances provide the opportunity to change lives,” said Dominion Energy President Keller Kissam. “We are proud to partner with the United Way and Homeless No More to transition this property into affordable housing and transform lives through stability, dignity, and opportunity.”