"Hurricane Helene displaced many people who are now living in a hotel because they can't find another place that is affordable."
- Newberry County Resident
For too many families in the Midlands, this is reality. The place that should be the foundation of stability-a safe, affordable home-has become out of reach.
Since 2020, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in South Carolina has jumped by 29%. And in five of the six counties served by United Way of the Midlands (UWM), more than half of renters spend over 30% of their income on housing. That means choosing between rent and groceries, or rent and medical bills.
It's not just renters. Between 22% and 36% of homeowners with a mortgage in our region are also considered housing cost-burdened, and nearly half report their homes need major repairs. This is more than a statistic-it's a crisis affecting educators, young professionals, retirees, and families alike.
Why Housing Matters
Housing is more than shelter-it's the starting point for everything else. Without stable housing, families can't focus on work, children struggle to learn, and communities lose the ability to retain talent.
Affordable housing challenges also affect economic growth. In Lexington and Richland counties, community conversations revealed that rising rents are pushing recent college graduates out of the region in search of more affordable options. This "brain drain" makes it harder for local businesses to recruit and retain workers.
Changing the Conversation
One important lesson from our community conversations was that words matter. Residents encouraged shifting the language from "affordable housing" to "attainable housing." This small change helps reduce stigma and frames the issue in a way that invites broader community support.
Because the truth is: housing challenges don't just affect "someone else." They affect teachers, healthcare workers, and small business employees-people essential to the health and well-being of the Midlands.
Housing Success Stories
Amid the challenges, there are bright spots of progress-projects that show what's possible when collaboration and investment come together.
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The Village at Winnsboro (Fairfield County): With UWM support, this project created 16 three-bedroom homes at affordable rental rates, prioritizing teachers in the Fairfield County School District. The goal: retain and recruit quality educators by giving them a place to live in the community they serve.
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Grand Village (Richland County): Transforming a substandard motel into 40 safe, clean units of attainable housing for families at risk of homelessness. Rents range from $350-$500 per month, helping families find stability without sacrificing their ability to cover other basic needs.
These projects highlight how housing initiatives not only provide shelter but also strengthen schools, stabilize families, and preserve the fabric of our communities.
UWM's Investment in Housing
Over the past three years, UWM has committed more than $5 million to affordable housing initiatives, leveraging $87 million in development value. So far, this investment has created or repaired over 587 housing units-and we're just getting started.
Our goal is clear: grow that number to 1,000 units in the coming years. To get there, we'll continue advocating for innovative solutions, supporting community-led projects, and bringing funders together to fill critical gaps.
How You Can Be Part of the Solution
Big problems require big collaboration. Here are three ways you can help us tackle the housing crisis:
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Learn & Share: Talk about "attainable housing" with your networks. Help shift the conversation in a positive direction.
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Advocate: Support local policies that encourage development of quality, affordable housing.
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Invest: Every dollar given to housing initiatives goes further when combined with our collaborative funding model.
The Midlands' housing crisis is real-but so is our ability to solve it. With smart investments, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment, we can make housing for good a reality.
Because when families have a safe, stable place to call home, they're not just surviving. They're thriving-and building a stronger future for the Midlands, one home at a time.
