Allendale County ALIVE’s greatest accomplishment in 2008 was its survival in the face of tremendous challenges and conflict that should have shut the organization down. From a significant decrease in housing rehabilitation funds to conflict between board members and the board and staff, and a USDA suspension of Enterprise funds, ALIVE was able to survive and continue efforts to reduce poverty in Allendale County. The community in a very public way affirmed the accomplishments and the value of ALIVE to Allendale County. ALIVE completed Phase I of the Fairfax Housing Development Project. Phase I proposed to renovate 5 existing single family houses into rental units for low and very low income families. The four remaining houses were completed and provide safe, decent affordable housing to four families. The project is funded by South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority Housing Trust Funds and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Youthbuild Program. ALIVE continued the Youthbuild Program which provided academic and construction education, support services and job skills to high school dropouts. The Youthbuild participants are required to work on their high school diploma or GED while working on an affordable housing project. The Fairfax Housing Development Project is the affordable housing project for the Youthbuild Program. ALIVE had a significant decease in housing rehab and homeownership funding because the main source of funds, the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority Housing Trust Funds, was impacted by the real estate crisis. The Trust Fund receives a percentage of every real estate transaction in South Carolina and thus the decease in funds resulting from the decease in real estate transactions. Funds from the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority Homeownership Program to assist eligible first time homeowners in Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Hampton, and Colleton Counties with Down Payment Assistance was not available in 2008. ALIVE was awarded $18,000 from the South Carolina Association of Community Development Corporations to create a Homeownership Center. The Center will provide housing counseling to individuals and families wanting to prepare for homeownership. Potential homeowners take a six month homeownership course while receiving individual housing counseling. The curriculum for the course is provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. ALIVE received funds from the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority to revitalize the community with the involvement of the community which formed a neighborhood association to lead the revitalization effort. The neighborhood association applied for a 501(C)3 nonprofit status. The association held three clean up days for the neighborhood, planted a community garden, and is in the process of organizing a crime watch program. ALIVE responded to the recent foreclosure crisis by contracting with Family Service Center of Charleston, SC to provide assistance to families facing foreclosure in Allendale and surrounding counties.

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