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Passers-by in the areas of Illinois and Elm streets and Pennsylvania Avenue in Spindale, who haven't been in that area for a while, will immediately notice radical changes in housing.
New homes are being constructed, older homes are being repaired and some properties have been cleared to make property available for even more affordable housing.
This is all a part of the Spindale Neighborhood Revitalization program that received State honors recently from the North Carolina Housing Agency, noting its significant impact on the community.
The 2025 Housing North Carolina Award was presented to Habitat for Humanity during a ceremony recently inside a senior apartment complex in Spindale on August 4.
Habitat was recognized for its expansion of housing opportunities by integrating affordable market-rate homes and the senior apartments, as well as critical home repairs, into a mixed-income community.
"This revitalization has had a substantial impact on the Spindale community," said Scott Farmer, executive director of the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, who presented the plaque. "The Spindale Neighborhood Revitalization is an incredible example of how innovation and collaboration can provide safe and affordable housing to uplift a community."
This initiative garnered resident support and engaged the surrounding community by offering legal assistance, home buyer training, information sessions, literacy programming, welcome baskets and employment opportunities, all made possible by local and regional partners, said Madison Lewis, from NC Housing.
"We are incredibly honored to receive the Community Impact Award from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency," said Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Kim Freeman. "This recognition means so much to us and reflects the heart and hard work that has gone into revitalizing the Spindale neighborhood."
"From the beginning, our vision was to create a truly mixed-income neighborhood-one where families of all backgrounds could live side by side. That vision became a reality thanks to the support and collaboration of the Town of Spindale, Dogwood Health Trust, and the Stonecutter Foundation. We're also so grateful to the Carolina Foothills Foundation, Cannon Foundation, PNC Bank, and many other generous donors who helped make senior rental housing part of this effort," said Freeman.
There are currently eight families living in Habitat houses on Elm and Illinois streets and Pennsylvania Avenue, said Sheila Cain, Habitat's Family Services/Community Outreach director.
"We have two families going through our Homeownership Program right now and we are looking for more for this year...Three fair market value homes in Spindale have families living in them and there are more being built," Cain said.
"We are trying to develop this area into mixed income homes, we are doing as much as we can right now," Cain said, encouraging home buying rather than paying high rent.
One one end of Illinois Avenue is the senior apartment complex and at the end of the street is one Habitat for Humanity home under construction and two other fair-market value homes being built with partners, Freeman Endeavors and Hooper Building.
"A special thank-you goes to Freeman Endeavors and Hooper Builders, who have helped bring beautiful moderate-income and market-rate homes to life," said Habitat's Freeman. "And none of this would have been possible without our amazing volunteers. Our core volunteer group, along with Timken, BEFSA, TD Bank, the Forest City Owls, and so many local churches, gave their time, energy, and heart to this work," she said.
"We're proud of how far we've come-and even more excited for the work still ahead. We plan to continue building in Spindale for years to come," said Freeman.
Currently there are three Habitat homes under construction in Spindale and two in Rutherfordton. Habitat is taking applications for new homeowners and there is always a need for volunteers either on the building job sites or in Habitat's thrift stores.
Habitat for Humanity and Rutherford Housing Partnership are partners in some of the revitalization projects, repairing several homes and putting duplex apartments on Pennsylania Avenue.
The 2025 Housing North Carolina Awards celebrates 36 years by recognizing affordable housing accomplishments in the following categories: community impact, creative partnerships, excellence in sustainability and innovation in housing. Awards are being presented by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency at each property and the winners will participate in a special awards panel at the 2025 NC Affordable Housing Conference in Raleigh on September 30.
Spindale Neighborhood Revitalization projects thus far:
Cleaned up 18 blighted properties, eight Habitat homes completed and moved in; three Habitat homes under construction, three moderate or Fair Market Value (FMV) homes under construction, three moderate /FMV homes sold, one under contract, four Senior rentals for low-income Seniors; Habitat also has a 43-acre subdivision with a $2.1 million CDBG to fund the infrastructure.
