Wells Fargo's Long-Running Habitat Partnership

For more than 30 years, the Wells Fargo Foundation and Habitat for Humanity International have worked together to expand access to affordable homeownership. Since 2010, Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Foundation have donated more than $136 million to Habitat for Humanity International and local affiliates. The funding has supported new construction, home repairs, aging-in-place projects, neighborhood revitalization, and disaster response.

Habitat for Humanity of York County, based in Rock Hill, South Carolina, has been a repeat beneficiary of this partnership, receiving grants that support both new builds and critical repairs for local families.

Grants to York County Habitat

Wells Fargo has directed multiple grants to Habitat for Humanity of York County over the past several years:

In 2020, the Wells Fargo Foundation awarded the affiliate a $15,000 grant to repair a senior's home at 412 California Street in York, South Carolina. The repairs included roof work, insulation, windows, exterior doors, and electrical upgrades.
In 2022, the Wells Fargo Foundation awarded Habitat for Humanity of York County $75,000 in grants to repair two existing homes and complete two new builds in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
In later cycles, the affiliate received a separate $80,000 Wells Fargo Builds grant to help build and repair four homes in York and Rock Hill.

These grants allow Habitat to serve more families in a region where home values and construction costs have risen sharply.

What Habitat Does With the Money

In York County, Habitat uses Wells Fargo grant dollars for a mix of activities:

Building new homes sold to income-qualified families at an affordable price with a zero-interest mortgage
Making critical repairs to existing homes, especially for senior homeowners who want to age in place
Upgrading systems like roofing, electrical, and HVAC that are too expensive for low-income homeowners to handle alone
Improving accessibility through ramps, grab bars, and other modifications

Each project includes volunteer labor, contractor partnerships, and Habitat staff oversight to ensure quality.

The Wider Wells Fargo-Habitat Initiative

Wells Fargo's support for Habitat extends well beyond York County:

In 2020, Wells Fargo Foundation announced a commitment to help Habitat build and repair 350 affordable homes across the U.S.
In 2023, the Wells Fargo Foundation awarded Habitat for Humanity $7.5 million for additional build and repair projects.
In 2024, the foundation awarded $6.3 million more to support build and repair projects nationwide.

Collectively, these commitments have helped Habitat affiliates serve thousands of families who would otherwise be unable to access stable, affordable housing.

Why It Matters for South Carolina Homeowners

In York County and throughout the Carolinas, rising housing costs have made homeownership harder to reach. Habitat's model addresses this in two ways:

New builds create additional supply of affordable, deed-restricted homes
Critical home repair keeps existing homeowners, especially seniors, in safe and habitable properties

Wells Fargo's funding supplements donations from other corporate, individual, and foundation sources, as well as volunteer labor, to stretch every dollar further.

How to Get Involved

Local residents interested in supporting Habitat for Humanity of York County can:

Donate money or supplies through the affiliate's website at yorkcountyhabitat.org
Volunteer at build sites or the local Habitat ReStore
Refer eligible families who may qualify for Habitat's homeownership or repair programs
Advocate for affordable housing policies at the local and state levels

Applying for Habitat Programs

Eligible homeowners interested in Habitat's home repair program or families hoping to purchase a Habitat home should contact the York County affiliate directly. Income limits, homeownership readiness, and willingness to contribute sweat equity are typical program requirements. Because demand routinely exceeds available slots, applying early and completing all required paperwork quickly improves the odds of selection.

Takeaway

Wells Fargo's repeated grants to Habitat for Humanity of York County illustrate how long-term corporate partnerships can amplify local housing nonprofits. From the 2020 senior home repair in York to more recent $75,000 and $80,000 awards for multiple families, the partnership continues to deliver concrete housing outcomes where they are most needed.

Wells Fargo Grant Builds With Habitat for Humanity of York County