Founding
Marion County Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1994 by local citizens concerned about poor housing conditions within the county. MCHFH broke ground on the first house in 1994. Since then, the old "Ponderosa" area of Marion (located between Montgomery Grove and Manning Streets) has been transformed with 17 Habitat homes. On Pine and Bethea Streets there are 5 new homes. In Mullins, in the area opposite Palmetto Middle School (O'Neal and Prevatte Streets), a total of 6 new homes have been constructed. Two homes have been built on Jaycee Court while construction has just been completed on our most recent home on Phillips Court in Mullins. Construction on our 32nd Habitat home began in March 2011 on Bay Street in Mullins.
During this time, the cost of materials to build a home for a family of four to six people has risen from $35,000 to $75,000. Families contribute 300 hours of sweat equity before they can purchase a home. Volunteers from the community, Collegiate Challenge weeks, church groups and other volunteers provide the balance of labor and are supervised by a paid contractor. Electricians, plumbers and other professionals are hired as needed to comply with licensing requirements.