Draymont Ridge

Location:                                 Spartanburg County, South Carolina

Type:                                       Neighborhood Revitalization

Targeted Residents:                Neighborhood residents, formerly homeless, special needs

Owner:                                    Upstate Homeless Coalition

 History:  Draymont Ridge is possibly one of the most challenging developments tackled to date by Nehemiah.  After a year and a half search, 23 acres of land was found off Archer Road in Spartanburg County to build a new community.  The decision was made to build the new community as an extension of the existing Draymont community.  Neighborhood meetings were held with the existing residents to plan both the new community and to make improvements in the existing neighborhood. 

Challenge:  How can an existing neighborhood successfully be expanded to include a new community eventually including almost 100 new households?

Solution:  Due to the proximity of a railroad line, the site was not competitive for Section 42 tax credits.  The decision was made to use a combination of financing and complete the new community in phases.  To date five different phases including family, senior and special needs housing are basically complete.  The neighborhood center is built.    Planning has commenced on preserving 12 acres of the property in its present state as a beautiful hardwood forest.  Work is commencing on townhouses overlooking the forest to be sold to workforce families.