Community First Land Trust Secures $300,000 from JPMorganChase to Support Affordable Housing in North Charleston 

Funding Supports the Construction of New Homes for Purchase by Qualified Buyers Earning Less than the Area Median Income 

Charleston, SC – Community First Land Trust (CFLT) has received $300,000 from JPMorganChase to support the creation of affordable homes in North Charleston. The funds will help CFLT build and sell affordable homes to qualified buyers in North Charleston, supporting economic mobility and wealth-building opportunities for local residents. This grant represents JPMorganChase’s first significant philanthropic investment in the Charleston area. 

The Charleston area is facing a critical shortage of affordable housing, with rising property values making homeownership unattainable for many families. With the support of JPMorganChase, CFLT aims to help bridge the homeownership gap for families earning between 60% and 80% of the area median income by constructing and rehabilitating homes and offering them at accessible prices to buyers in these income groups. This effort will help more families achieve first-time homeownership and maintain the community’s historic character. 

“With JPMorganChase’s support, we are addressing a pressing need for affordable housing in our community,” said Henrietta Woodward, Executive Director of Community First Land Trust. “By facilitating homeownership, we are not only preserving the character of our North Charleston neighborhoods, but also laying the groundwork for future generations to thrive financially.”  

In the near term, this funding has enabled CFLT to begin construction on nine homes to be built by the end of 2026 in several communities in North Charleston, with two buyers already in process. As these homes are sold at affordable prices, the proceeds will replenish the fund, allowing CFLT to continuously develop more properties. This revolving fund supports CFLT’s core mission of creating permanent affordable housing. Additionally, the grant will help CFLT grow by hiring a Homeownership Coordinator to grow community programs and assist more potential homeowners. 

“Addressing the need for affordable housing in the greater Charleston area is essential for creating pathways to economic opportunity,” said Suganthi Simon, head of Global Philanthropy for the Mid-South Region at JPMorganChase. “This investment reflects not only our commitment to growing in and serving South Carolina’s Lowcountry, but also our broader commitment to expanding opportunities for wealth building through homeownership throughout the South.” 

JPMorganChase is actively expanding its footprint in South Carolina. Since 2020, it has opened nine branches in the Charleston area, with more planned for the future. The firm employs more than 350 people throughout the state.  

About JPMorganChase 

JPMorganChase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading financial services firm based in the United States of America (“U.S.”), with operations worldwide. JPMorganChase had $4.6 trillion in assets and $357 billion in stockholders’ equity as of June 30, 2025. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management. Under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands, the Firm serves millions of customers in the U.S., and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients globally. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com. 

About Community First Land Trust 

Community First Land Trust (CFLT) is dedicated to developing and preserving affordable housing in seven environmental justice communities in North Charleston. Founded in 2017 as a key initiative of the Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities, CFLT addresses the disproportionate environmental burdens these neighborhoods face. Our mission is to prevent gentrification and ensure sustainable revitalization without displacement. Through land acquisition, neighborhood improvements, financial literacy education, and economic opportunities, CFLT strives to create lasting positive change. Learn more at cflandtrust.org.  

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