| Our History |
The Charleston Area Community Development Corporation (CACDC) began in 1993 by founding board members Pearlie McCoy, Benjamin Washington, Sarah Green and Rev. Alma Dungee. The Coastal Community Foundation created the Neighborhoods Energized to Win Fund (N.E.W. Fund) through a Ford Foundation grant. The N.E.W. Fund was designed to create measurable sustainable change in targeted neighborhoods. There were initially 9 neighborhood groups involved in the N.E.W. Fund Program; this evolved into the Charleston Area CDC.
In the early years the focus of the CACDC was on revitalizing neighborhoods through home weatherization, home repairs, job training and community beautification. This led the CACDC to the Silver Hill Community to begin its revitalization by building new affordable homes there.
The CACDC then turned its attention to the need of low income residents for consistent, long term savings. The Individual Development Account Program (IDA) was started. Participants use this account to save money and receive matching funds in order to purchase their first home, start or expand a small business or further their education. The continuing growth of the IDA program has resulted in a local participation level of about 25% of the state’s total participation.
In 2004 the CACDC Board of Directors hired a new Executive Director in an effort to make the organization to a progressive, vital force for community change. This decision brought the CACDC new energy and expertise allowing it to create and expand programs which enable the CACDC to move forward in serving low income families.
In 2007 the City of Charleston’s Housing Initiative Fund made it possible to construct new affordable housing units and restart the Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program. These programs serve the housing needs of low income families in the Greater Charleston Area through increasing the affordable housing stock and doing much needed code repairs for low income homeowners.
As the CACDC’s programs succeeded, the organization became aware of additional issues facing low income families; the lack of financial knowledge and the need for affordable housing units. To address the need for education and counseling, the Financial Literacy, Home-buyer and Debt Management Programs were started. To address the need for more affordable housing the Acquisition/Rehab/Resale program began. This program started by purchasing 2 homes in the Dorchester Terrace neighborhood of North Charleston. These homes have been rehabilitated and are ready for sale to low income first-time home-buyers.
In 2008 the Financial Literacy, Home-buyer Education Program exploded with over 1,00o participants. Of these graduates, the CACDC was able to provide down payment assistance to over 300 first-time home-buyers through funding from the SC Housing Trust Fund and HOME Program. The Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program received funding from the City of Charleston and the SC Housing Trust Fund allowing for the repair of 10 homes; 5 in the City of Charleston and 5 in Charleston County. The demand for owner occupied rehabilitation is quite high; in response to this the CACDC has been applying for funding from several sources including the City of North Charleston and Charleston County. To date such funding has not been granted. The CACDC will continue to seek funding to assist the many clients on its waiting list with much needed code repairs to their homes.
Through the Financial Literacy Program taught at the Civic Justice Corps, the CACDC became aware of another need among area residents. The Civic Justice Corps’ Pre-Release Program’s graduates are often unable to find affordable housing. In response to this need the CACDC began the Flora Street Project. This project provides rental housing to ex-offenders who have completed the Pre-Release Program and to families displaced by foreclosure. There is one three-bedroom unit at the site reserved for emergency housing. A room can be rented (for a nominal fee) in this unit until tenants are able to secure more permanent housing. The CACDC has created partnerships with the Noisette Foundation and the Weed & Seed Program to make this project possible.
The Charleston Area Community Development Corporation has shown its commitment to the welfare of communities throughout its history. This commitment will continue as we serve low income families in the Greater Charleston Area by educating, supporting and providing resources that create financial independence and wealth building. These families can then become driving forces in “revitalizing communities one family at a time.”