South Carolina is taking a major step toward alleviating its workforce housing shortage. On Oct. 31, 2025, the South Carolina Housing Finance and Development Authority (SC Housing) announced the first participants in its newly launched Made It Home! Program, an initiative designed to recruit residential builders who are committed to delivering high-quality, affordable homes for working families.
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Five builders — D.R. Horton, Gainey Construction Co., Housing Development Corporation of Rock Hill, McGuinn Homes, and Oak and Ave Property Group — have agreed to construct a combined 130 new homes across the state. This marks the first phase of a long-term strategy to increase affordable homeownership opportunities in fast-growing communities.
The builder commitments include:
BuilderNumber of HomesD.R. Horton40Gainey Construction Co.15Housing Development Corporation of Rock Hill15McGuinn Homes45Oak and Ave Property Group15
Site selection is ongoing, but SC Housing has identified several priority counties with high workforce demand and limited affordable inventory, including:
The homes will be distributed statewide rather than concentrated in a single subdivision. In high-cost markets, local governments are partnering to reduce project barriers — including waiving certain development fees and even donating land — to ensure prices remain accessible.
Each home will be built to a standard that ensures comfort and quality:
To help working families buy these homes, qualifying homebuyers may receive up to $25,000 in forgivable down payment and closing cost assistance when using SC Housing-approved lenders. Eligibility includes income limits capped at SC Housing’s current program thresholds or $135,000, whichever is lower.
To support affordability goals, SC Housing will award builders a $12,000 cost-offset subsidy for each house completed and sold — a financial tool intended to encourage repeat participation and future scaling of the program.
Todd Latiff, chairman of the SC Housing Board of Commissioners, said the initiative represents an important economic and humanitarian investment:
“This program is about creating opportunity. We’re incredibly grateful for the builders who’ve stepped up to be part of this first phase. Their buy-in shows the demand and the potential for this model to succeed and to be replicated in more communities across South Carolina. Together, we’re proving that building affordable, high-quality homes for working families is possible.”
Launched in August 2025, the Made It Home! Program aims to:
The first 130 homes are just the beginning — SC Housing expects more builders to join future phases, expanding the initiative statewide.
Originally reported by WLTX
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