2024 Open Doors Homeownership Grant Recipients

Housing Assistance Corporation logo

$25,000 - Housing Assistance Corporation

Founded in 1988 by performing home repairs for elderly residents, the Housing Assistance Corporation has since constructed 209 single-family homes, 360 units of LIHTC affordable housing, and hundreds of home repairs annually. Their current project, Little White Oak, consists of 20 new construction homes for residents earning 80% or less of the area median income in rural Polk County. The neighborhood is close in proximity to schools, a grocery store, and the local hospital, and will be nestled on 29 acres of land. Less than half the acreage will be used for the homes, adding to the neighborhood appeal of forested land and mountain views. Because of the slope of the Little White Oak development, the current town water system will not be able to extend sufficient water pressure to the top 12 homes. CAHEC's grant funding will be used towards the engineering and permitting costs to design, permit, and secure a water pumping station for the community.

Habitat for Humanity Durham logo

$25,000 - Habitat for Humanity Durham

In the last 39 years, Habitat for Humanity of Durham has built more than 480 homes and completed critical home repairs on over 570 non-Habitat home for low-income neighbors in Durham. Most recently, they purchased a plot of land from Mount Vernon Baptist Church which will be used for the development of 10 new Habitat homes. This partnership, which is the first of its kind for Durham Habitat, represents an innovative way for faith-based organizations to invest in strengthening the community through affordable housing. The development is located near Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Durham's Hayti district, and because developers have been purchasing the affordable homes in the area and flipping them into larger high-end homes, homeownership has been a struggle for many families in the area. Thus, through this partnership, the church can ensure affordable homeownership is a possibility for 10 families in the area. Durham Habitat will be using CAHEC's funding towards the cost of materials to complete front porches on each of the homes. The benefit of a front porch is invaluable, as it will create a sense of community and belonging in the neighborhood for many families who felt unwelcome.