Darlington County Habitat for Humanity dedicates 13th home

Anissa McElveen promised herself she wouldn’t cry.

But she couldn’t help it.

When she thanked the people of Darlington County Habitat for Humanity for helping her realize the American dream of becoming a homeowner Sunday, the tears came.

“There is no place like home,” McElveen said. “I said I wasn’t going to cry, but I can’t help it.”

The Darlington County Habitat affiliate held a brief dedication service for McElveen’s new home Sunday afternoon at Jerusalem Baptist Church. The service was followed by an open house for the new home on Washington Street in Hartsville.

“I don’t know who’s more excited, me or my son,” McElveen said. “It means a lot to me. I’m so very thankful and appreciative to Habitat for everything that they have done for me and my family.”

McElveen’s son, Trey, is a student at Hartsville Middle School. Her daughter, Monee, is a student at Coker College. McElveen has worked at A.O. Smith Corps in McBee for 20 years.
Habitat does not give homes away, said Louis Yount, a member of the habitat Board of Directors. Habitat homeowners, who must go through a qualification process and meet eligibility requirements, purchase their homes through an interest-free, 20-year mortgage. But they must also put in 400 hours of “sweat equity” in the Habitat program working on houses.

Darlington County Habitat for Humanity is an interdenominational Christian housing ministry whose mission is to eliminate poverty housing in Darlington County. A tithing affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, Darlington County Habitat is responsible for developing its own programs and funding.