Seven New Townhomes Break Ground in Greenville
The Baxter-Norris Villas project will provide seven new affordable townhomes for families in the Sterling community.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Home Renovation
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Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County has officially broken ground on the Baxter-Norris Villas, a new affordable housing project on Jenkins Street. The development will bring seven two- and three-bedroom townhomes to the Sterling community.
Why it matters
The project addresses a critical need for affordable homeownership in a local neighborhood facing rising housing costs and ongoing redevelopment. By providing these homes, the initiative helps ensure families can build equity in a rapidly changing market.
The Baxter-Norris Villas project adds seven new townhomes to the Sterling area following the removal of two vacant houses by the city in 2021. The land for the development was deeded to Habitat for Humanity by the City of Greenville after the design was approved.
The players
Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County
A non-profit organization focused on building affordable housing and creating paths to homeownership through sweat equity and education.
City of Greenville
The local municipal government responsible for urban planning, land management, and residential development oversight.
Arcisan Design
An architectural firm that collaborated with Habitat to study site layouts for the new townhome project.
The details
To maximize space and affordability on the Jenkins Street site, Habitat for Humanity collaborated with Arcisan Design to determine the optimal layout for the seven units. Future homeowners are required to contribute sweat equity and complete homebuyer education hours to qualify for the mortgages. The City of Greenville supported the project by clearing the property of vacant structures and transferring the land title to the organization.
Timeline
2021: The City of Greenville removed two vacant houses from the Jenkins Street property.
October 15, 2026: Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County held the groundbreaking ceremony for the villas.
The Home Front
The Baxter-Norris Villas project marks a deliberate effort to preserve affordable housing options within the Sterling community's current redevelopment trajectory. It highlights the role of land-deeding partnerships between municipal governments and non-profits in mitigating rising local ownership costs.
Residents in the Sterling community should monitor local urban planning notices for upcoming site work timelines on Jenkins Street. Potential homeowners interested in similar programs should review the official homebuyer education requirements set by their local housing non-profit.
The takeaway
This development serves as a model for how non-profits and cities can convert vacant lots into stable housing for families. Families looking to achieve homeownership should prioritize local education and sweat-equity programs in their long-term financial planning.
Further reading
Learn more about local residential changes in the Home Renovation section.
More information
For more details on the project or to support the build, visit the Habitat Greenville project donation page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Greenville Business Magazine.
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