The Front Porch Newsletter - April 2026

April 2026

Affordable Housing Summit returns, hosts more than 550 attendees

The South Carolina Affordable Housing Summit concluded April 16, marking a successful return after an eight-year hiatus.

The event brought together more than 550 advocates, nonprofit leaders, community organizations, and industry partners to address critical housing challenges and explore solutions to the state’s growing needs.

Presented by SC Housing and the South Carolina Affordable Housing Coalition, the summit provided a forum for collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

Attendees participated in panel discussions, expert presentations, and networking opportunities focused on expanding access to safe, affordable housing. Key topics included financing strategies, development best practices, policy updates, and innovative approaches to increasing housing supply.

Featured speakers included Dr. Joseph Von Nessen, research economist at the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business; Todd Latiff, chairman of the SC Housing Board of Commissioners; Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette; Fred Moore of Senator Tim Scott’s Office; Scott Morgan; Lila Anna Sauls; and others.

Participants engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening partnerships and identifying actionable strategies to support housing affordability and stability statewide. The summit continues to serve as a key platform for advancing solutions and fostering collaboration among stakeholders committed to addressing South Carolina’s housing challenges.

The event concluded with the presentation of the Clementa C. Pinckney Elected Official Award to Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter, recognizing her leadership in advancing housing opportunities across the state.

2026 Summit Housing Achievement Award winners named

“What My Home Means to Me” Art Contest Winners: Kamren Key-Gore and On’or Cody

Mortgage Lender of the Year: Guild Mortgage

Loan Officer of the Year: Mike Watson, Benchmark Mortgage (Spartanburg)

Top Loan Officers: Shonna Lee (Acopia, LLC – Greenville), Brad Burdette (Lennar Mortgage – Columbia), Ashton Mitchell (Lower, LLC – Lexington)

Housing Development of the Year: Archer School Apartments (Charleston, Developed by Humanities Foundation)

Organizational Sector Award: Homes of Hope (Greenville)

Creative Partnership Award: Fairfield County School District Education Foundation’s Teacher Village

Volunteer of the Year: Julia Mullen 

Palmetto Heroes Program closed for ’26, registering 272 home loans

SC Housing’s highly anticipated 2026 Palmetto Heroes homebuyer program officially closed earlier this month after another record-breaking campaign.

The 2026 edition of the program began March 16 and closed April 13 after 272 home loans registered totaling more than $72 million in down payment assistance and low, fixed-rate mortgages. This marks the fastest pace at which the program has exhausted its allocated funding.

The popularity of the ’26 Palmetto Heroes campaign illustrates the continued demand for affordable homeownership opportunities among South Carolina’s foundational public servants.

The program – an annual offering for the state’s essential workers such as teachers, nurses, law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, veterans and active-duty military, and National Guard members – featured $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance and low, fixed-rate mortgage loans.

In 2025, the program was open for 33 business days and resulted in 298 home loans funded totaling more than $74million in down payment assistance and low, fixed-rate mortgages.

Though Palmetto Heroes remains SC Housing’s most popular homebuyer program, other programs offered by the agency provide down payment assistance and attractive, fixed rate loans.  

For more information on SC Housing's homebuyer programs, visit https://schousing.sc.gov/homebuyers/programs-homebuyers or contact the agency at 803.896.2211 or email us at mortgage.production@schousing.com.

SC Housing recognizes April as Fair Housing Month

April is nationally recognized as Fair Housing Month, a celebration of the passage of Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, commonly known as the Fair Housing Act.

SC Housing is bringing attention and appreciation to this landmark legislation’s 58th anniversary with a resolution signed by the agency’s Board of Commissioners which provides support for the ongoing efforts to ensure fair housing opportunities for all.