Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County is trying something new, and it's starting on a narrow lot in one of Greenville's historic neighborhoods.
The nonprofit broke ground Oct. 15 on Baxter-Norris Villas, its first townhome development, the Greenville Journal reported. The project will put seven two- and three-bedroom townhomes at 509 Jenkins St. in the Sterling neighborhood.
The homes are for families earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income, and they'll be for sale, not for rent.
"For seven families, that means an affordable mortgage, equity that grows over time, and the stability to plan ahead," said Latonya Phillips, president and CEO of Habitat Greenville. "Getting here has been a long road, and it started with a partnership with the city of Greenville."
From vacant houses to townhomes
The site has been in the works for years. In 2021, the city of Greenville removed two vacant homes from the Jenkins Street property to make way for future affordable housing. Habitat Greenville was awarded the project after studying multi-family options for the narrow lot, and the city deeded the property to the nonprofit in 2022.
That narrow lot is part of why townhomes made sense. Instead of one or two detached houses, attached homes let Habitat fit seven families on the same piece of ground.
The project marks a shift for the organization. Habitat Greenville recently finished its first duplex as part of its 40th anniversary, and Phillips said the group has turned its focus to multi-family development as a flexible way to create more affordable homes in today's economy. Rising prices, she said, are making it harder for families to stay in or move into historic neighborhoods like Sterling.
The name honors two Sterling natives: Peggy Baxter, Habitat Greenville's director emeritus, and former Greenville County Councilmember Xanthene Norris. Both grew up in the neighborhood and graduated from Sterling High School. The Sterling Neighborhood Association picked the name.
"Both Peggy and Xanthene are Sterling through and through, so it means a great deal to me that their legacies will endure here on Jenkins Street and in homes for seven families," said Greenville City Councilmember Dorothy Dowe.
The schedule
Habitat Greenville is raising $1.7 million to build Baxter-Norris Villas. Infrastructure work will happen over the next several months, and the plan is to go vertical in April 2027. Phillips said Habitat hopes the first families will move in about a year from now.
Spread across seven homes, the $1.7 million fundraising goal works out to roughly $243,000 per townhome.
Habitat's project page gives a closer look at what will be built. The townhomes will be two stories, with two or three bedrooms, 1.5 to 2 bathrooms and about 1,200 square feet each. Every home gets one dedicated parking space and private storage, along with an oven and range, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher and garbage disposal.
The homes are designed to be Energy Star certified and Indoor airPLUS certified, with all-electric appliances and systems. Habitat says that's meant to keep utility bills low and indoor air healthy over the long run. Families interested in buying can review eligibility requirements and fill out a homeownership form on Habitat Greenville's website.
No contractor was named for the site work, and the Journal didn't say who will handle the building.
Why it matters for Contractors
Seven townhomes isn't a big job, but this one is worth watching for a few reasons. First, it's infill on a narrow city lot, the kind of tight site where careful planning for staging, access and utilities matters. The infrastructure work coming over the next several months could mean openings for site and utility contractors before the homes go up in April 2027. Second, Habitat affiliates around South Carolina are moving from single houses toward duplexes and townhomes, which means more attached construction with shared walls, fire separation and coordinated utilities. Contractors and trades who understand that work can help nonprofits build more homes for the money. The Energy Star and Indoor airPLUS targets also mean third-party inspections and careful air sealing, insulation and ventilation work, so trades with that experience will be valuable. And Habitat relies on donated labor and materials alongside paid trades, so subcontractors in the Upstate looking to give back, or to build relationships with a steady local builder of affordable homes, may want to reach out to Habitat Greenville now.