Groundbreaking began on October 13 for Grand Village, a 30-unit affordable housing complex in Columbia, South Carolina, finally unlocking the potential of a $10 million donation MacKenzie Scott made to United Way of the Midlands in 2020. The project, developed by the nonprofit Homeless No More, transforms a deteriorating 1950s-era motel site at Two Notch Road and West Beltline Boulevard into modern rental homes. This is the first local initiative to receive direct funding from Scott’s original grant, according to Sara Fawcett, President and CEO of United Way of the Midlands.
The total cost of the development is $12.8 million. Beyond Scott’s contribution, the budget is supported by the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority, Richland County, the SC Community Loan Fund, Dominion Energy, First Citizens Bank, and the Central Carolina Community Foundation. Retaining and renovating two existing two-storey motel buildings helped secure $11 million in state funding through two specific programs, a strategic move that balanced new construction with preservation.
Lila Anna Sauls, President and CEO of Homeless No More, highlighted the urgency of the project. Nearly half of renters in South Carolina spend more than 30% of their household income on housing, a financial strain that leaves many vulnerable to displacement. Grand Village addresses this by offering one, two, and three-bedroom units targeted at households earning 30%, 50%, 70%, or 80% of the area’s median income. This mixed-income approach ensures the complex serves both deep-poverty households and essential workers like teachers and firefighters.
State Senator Tameika Isaac Devine attended the ceremony, noting that South Carolina’s population growth has intensified the need for housing near workplaces. She cited ongoing legislative discussions regarding zoning rules and building regulations as potential levers to increase overall housing availability. The development also includes the James E Christopher Community Center, named for a former board member who died in 2023. This facility will host after-school programs and local events, providing a stable meeting space for the neighboring Belvedere community, which currently holds its organization meetings at a water treatment facility.
Construction of the 30 homes is expected to take 12 months, with the community center requiring an additional four to six months for completion. Homeless No More has been developing affordable housing since 2015, building dozens of units along the Two Notch Road corridor and currently working on projects in Lexington County. The next phase involves finalizing the renovation of the retained motel structures and securing utility connections from Dominion Energy before the first families move in.