About Anson County Homes of Hope

In early 2017, representatives from Stanly County Homes of Hope reached out to Anson County business owner Harvey Leavitt of Leavitt Funeral Home. They were looking for residents of Anson County who might be interested in launching a similar program. Harvey contacted Father Timothy "Tim" Hushion, Rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in Wadesboro, and All Souls Episcopal Church in Ansonville, for ideas. Father Hushion then pitched the idea to a new resident and parishioner, Chipper Long, and the rest is history.

Father Hushion introduced several community members to Chipper, and meetings with Stanly County Homes of Hope began in April 2017. Like-minded community members attended these meetings, and the group met regularly for several months, assembling a cross-section of community leaders and advocates. The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina was an early supporter of the program, awarding the new organization a Mission Endowment Grant in the Fall of that same year. Using the grant to establish the organization, the much-needed work to provide good, safe, and dignified housing to the homeless and under-served residents of Anson County began.

On March 22, 2018, Anson County Homes of Hope became a fully incorporated entity in the State of North Carolina and received its non-profit 501 c (3) status through the joint contributions of George Bower, Jr., Esq., and William Josey, CPA. Anson County Homes of Hope was on its way. Chipper Long began assembling a Board of Directors that reflects a diverse and rich cross-section of Anson County professional, medical, social, civic, private, public, religious, and private community leaders. 

The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina awarded our organization a Mission Endowment grant to get the program started in November of 2017 and continue their support. Other early contributors to the program's success include the James R. Braswell and Bronnie L. Braswell Trust, the William Alexander Smith Trust, the Effie Allen Little Trust, and the Elizabeth Burns Yost Trust. These contributors also continue to be foundational in our success through their financial support. We have achieved so many goals with their help, encouragement, and prayers.

In March of 2019, we purchased our first property, a duplex at 615 East Wade Street in Wadesboro, NC. Plans began immediately for the renovations of both units. Unit A was wholly updated as finances permitted, and our first affordable housing resident moved into her new home in October of 2019. Bobby Joe Horton and his crew worked magic in this unit. Please see the "before" and "after" pictures on this website. His vision and subsequent work put the project on track. Our first resident is successful and gainfully employed. She now is standing on her own two feet, and we are genuinely proud of her. She is also a very "on-site" presence who keeps an eye on the property.

Unit B is currently under extensive renovation and will be ready in the Spring of 2021. This unit was unique in its original design. The redesign adds another bedroom, a private lower bathroom, brand new energy-efficient windows, new HVAC, new energy-efficient appliances, an updated kitchen, and an enclosed upstairs bedroom that makes more sense for energy efficiency. A new back porch was added that meets the code.

The duplex was painted in two shades of green on the outside, showing that the units are two different homes. We replaced the outdoor light fixtures with updated LED and added motion detector LED lighting for security. The parking lot has been refurbished, and we will add landscaping this Spring. We are grateful to Kilwinning Lodge #64 AF & AM of Wadesboro to clean Unit B in May of 2020. Adam Pope and his crew continue to do an impeccable job of maintaining the grounds. 

Unit B has the advantage of the vision of two contractors. Shawn Pond of Crow Remodeling conceived the original floorplan and has modified it along the way to add other features and updates. Bobby Joe Horton began the project, which brought the initial concept to life. People who have seen Unit B before and after are genuinely amazed.

We are now gearing up for our next project at 207 South Park Road. It is a three-story brick home that will become three three-bedroom apartments. The grounds are extensive, and we hope to install tiny houses and a community garden and meditation area in the future. The project is a multi-agency effort that includes the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, Sandhills Community Action Project, Stanly County Homes of Hope, and Anson County Homes of Hope.