Dillon County’s first Habitat for Humanity house needs volunteer help to finish building in 2026

LAKE VIEW, SC (WMBF) - Volunteers are needed to ensure the first-ever Habitat for Humanity project in Dillon County finishes in 2026.

Habitat for Humanity of Marion County added Dillon County to its service area in 2023. The first project in Dillon County, a three-bedroom home in Lake View, began in the spring of 2025.

The project has encountered several roadblocks along the way, but Executive Director Ricky Hardee says he hopes the home will be completed in 2026.

Funding and costs

Hardee said the project has cost $102,000 so far and is expected to reach $150,000 by completion. Rising building material costs have made a major impact.

“We would love to have the funds to, when we start a home, complete the home, but being in Marion County and now finding out in Dillon County, we just don’t have the financial resources,” Hardee said. “We’re in a position where we have to do a phase, wait for the money to come back in, do a phase, wait for the money.”

Volunteer shortage slowing progress

Hardee said the organization’s most pressing need is volunteers. The future homeowner is required to contribute 350 hours of sweat equity, but the project will require additional labor.

Several college groups have helped with construction through the organization’s Collegiate Challenge, where students spend their spring breaks volunteering with the build. Hardee said the program is well-liked by the students and community alike, but once the student volunteers leave, much of the work stops.

Hardee said only a few residents have stepped forward.

“We’re just finding a lack of interest for people to volunteer,” Hardee said. “A way we can keep this cost down is to find volunteers, so if you’re interested in volunteering, that not only helps us but it helps this homeowner.”

Hardee said more volunteers are needed for the organization to meet its end-of-year completion goal.

“We’re hoping to have this home finished by the end of this year,” Hardee said. “We would need more volunteers to make that happen.”

Those interested in volunteering can visit the Habitat for Humanity of Marion and Dillion Counties website for more information, or call 843-464-3747.

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