In 2020, Scott gave $10 million to United Way of the Midlands (AP file photo)
Six years after philanthropist and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, MacKenzie Scott donated $10 million to a South Carolina charity; part of that money is now helping fund affordable housing in Columbia.
As part of the project, a former motel site is being redeveloped into 30 rental homes for families with different income levels. The $12.8 million project, called Grand Village, is being developed by nonprofit Homeless No More, which began construction with a groundbreaking ceremony on October 13.According to the organisation's official website, the site was once occupied by the Grand Motel, a property dating back to the 1950s at the corner of Two Notch Road and West Beltline Boulevard.
Over the years, its condition had deteriorated. The new development will replace much of the old property, although two existing two-storey buildings will be renovated. The motel's historic sign will also be retained.For families looking for affordable accommodation, the development will offer one, two and three-bedroom rental homes. Some of these are intended for households with very low incomes, while others will be available to working residents, including teachers and firefighters.
This comes as South Carolina faces a wider housing problem. According to South Carolina Public Radio, Homeless No More President and CEO Lila Anna Sauls said nearly half of renters in the state spend more than 30% of their household income on housing. With accommodation becoming difficult to afford, the organisation hopes Grand Village will provide another option for families who need reasonably priced homes.
How will MacKenzie Scott's donation be used?
In 2020, Scott gave $10 million to United Way of the Midlands.
Grand Village is the first local project to receive funding from that contribution, according to the charity's president and CEO, Sara Fawcett.The $12.8 million budget is being supported by several organisations, including the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority, Richland County and the SC Community Loan Fund. Other partners include Dominion Energy, First Citizens Bank and the Central Carolina Community Foundation.The decision to retain and renovate some of the existing motel buildings also played a role in securing financial support. Officials said the combination of new construction and renovation allowed the state housing authority to obtain $11 million from two funding programmes.
How families will qualify for the affordable homes
According to Sauls, some units will serve households earning around 30% of the area's median income. Other units will be intended for those earning approximately 50%, 70% or 80%.
This approach allows the development to accommodate families with different financial circumstances.
State Senator Tameika Isaac Devine raised the issue during the groundbreaking ceremony. She said the state's growing population had increased the need to ensure that people could afford to live near their workplaces.Devine also spoke about possible government action, including discussions around zoning rules, building regulations and ways to increase housing availability.
What will happen to the rest of the motel property?
Grand Village will include facilities for the surrounding neighbourhood. A new community centre will provide space for local events, after-school activities and mentoring programmes for children. It will be named the James E Christopher Community Center in memory of Jim Christopher, a former Homeless No More board member who supported the development before he died in 2023.The centre could be particularly useful for people living in the neighbouring Belvedere community.
Its community organisation currently holds meetings at a water treatment facility, according to its president, Diane Wiley.
Grand Village moves towards completion
Construction of the 30 homes is expected to take around 12 months. Sauls said the community centre could take another four to six months to finish.Grand Village is part of a longer effort by Homeless No More to help families find stable accommodation. The nonprofit already operates emergency and transitional housing services and began developing affordable homes for working families in 2015.It has since built dozens of housing units along the Two Notch Road corridor. The organisation is also working on additional projects, including a former hotel property in Lexington County, Edgewood Village and Andrew's Village.