Bank of America providing $150,000 for Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative
Habitat for Humanity of Horry County announced a three-year partnership with Bank of America that will significantly advance its Neighborhood Revitalization program. Earlier this year, Habitat for Humanity of Horry County embarked on an effort to bring Habitat’s nationally recognized Neighborhood Revitalization program to Horry County. Bank of America is providing a $150,000 grant to catalyze projects selected by the community that will help achieve that goal, in addition to hands-on bank team member volunteer work.
Habitat for Humanity of Horry County is currently partnering with the Booker T. Washington neighborhood in Myrtle Beach as the pilot neighborhood, with plans to expand to additional communities in the next three years. Booker T. Washington is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Myrtle Beach, with a rich history of resilience, having made countless impacts, and existing as a pillar of Myrtle Beach’s shared culture.
“Housing stability is often a key to economic mobility. Bank of America supports nonprofit partners like Habitat for Humanity of Horry County as part of our commitment to investing in underserved communities and promoting economic opportunity,” said Robin Agnew, President, Bank of America Myrtle Beach. “Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization partnership with the residents of the Booker T. Washington community will provide much needed support for the neighborhood, which is an important asset in our diverse Myrtle Beach community.”
The Neighborhood Revitalization program focuses on supporting existing communities by partnering with residents and other organizations to ensure that Habitat’s work — from home rehabs to financial literacy classes — contributes to the fabric ofneighborhoods and makes them an inviting place to call home. The Booker T. Washington Neighborhood Revitalization initiative will follow that model as a collaboration between Habitat for Humanity of Horry County, local residents, and community partners like Sandy Grove Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church of Myrtle Beach. With residents leading revitalization efforts, Habitat’s work is tailored for the community to best address real concerns and improve the lives of the people who live in the neighborhood.
“The residents of the Booker T. Washington community are doing really great work, and it is an honor to partner with them and further secure that the aspirations of residents are realized,” said Meagan Michal, Neighborhood Revitalization Director at Habitat for Humanity of Horry County. “A strong community fabric is essential to any person’s wellness. We are thrilled to contribute to building it in our neighborhoods through our expanded offerings, and we are also thrilled for Bank of America’s partnership in support of this important work.”
Habitat for Humanity’s Neighborhood Revitalization work follows the guidelines provided in the Quality of Life Framework, a data-driven and customizable approach developed by Habitat and vetted by community development experts to help to improve neighborhoods. The framework focuses on first understanding the concerns of the residents and then empowering these residents to lead the projects they want to see delivered.
Locally, residents of the Booker T. Washington neighborhood have developed their specific Quality of Life Plan, containing three high-level goals: Improved Infrastructure with Government Support, A Healthy & Safe Community, and Restored Housing. Habitat for Humanity of Horry County is currently offering a Maintenance and Repair Program to homeowners in the neighborhood. Through this program, it is expected that $50,000 worth of critical repairs will be invested into the neighborhood’s aging homes by spring 2022. Additional initiatives that residents are working on include a street leader program, youth leadership opportunities, and the reimagination of shared spaces.
“Habitat for Humanity of Horry County started the Neighborhood Revitalization program locally to expand our mission beyond providing safe, decent, and affordable housing. The work enables us to assist in the preservation of our community’s most historic and culturally relevant neighborhoods,” said Jason Greene, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Horry County. “Our Neighborhood Revitalization program affords us the opportunity to work with resident leaders to develop plans to improve the quality of life of all residents. We are thrilled that Bank of America will continue the long history of partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Horry County in this vital part of our mission.”
Habitat for Humanity of Horry County and Bank of America have a longstanding partnership centered around investing in underserved communities and partnering to support organizations focused on economic opportunity. Habitat for Humanity of Horry County was previously selected as a 2020 Bank of America Neighborhood Champion, which provided a $50,000 grant and leadership training, in recognition of its work to advance economic mobility in Horry County.
