Faith and compassion initially inspired Terry Wolfer to volunteer with the nonprofit Habitat for Humanity. His profession in social work strengthened that commitment because he understands the importance of stable housing for human well-being. 

 

“Habitat for Humanity’s vision is for a world where everybody has a decent place to live,” says Wolfer, a social work professor at the University of South Carolina. “Safe and secure housing contributes to physical and mental health, child development, educational success, and social and economic stability. For many American families, owning a home is the best way of building wealth and long-term opportunity.”  

 

A native Midwesterner, Wolfer has decades of service with the organization – including key leadership roles in two states, South Carolina and Mississippi. In 1986, he worked with the former first lady of Mississippi, Elise Winter, to establish an affiliate in Jackson, the state capital, where he served as founding board president before pursuing his doctoral degree.  

 

After joining the faculty at USC, he served on the board of advisors and the board of directors of the Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity. In August, Wolfer became board president for 2025-2026, where he will have a vital role in shaping its mission to provide affordable housing and improve lives for families in South Carolina.  

As Central South Carolina Habitat celebrates its 40th year, Wolfer says it will be an important time of transition and growth. Habitat also recently relocated to a new, larger office space to support its growing programs and hired a new executive director, Moryah Jackson. 

 

“As we think about our goals, we want to implement strategies and initiatives that will help to sustain and grow our mission in the next 40 years,” he says.  

 

Habitat’s growing mission and impact 

 

Over its first 40 years, Central SC Habitat has built 289 houses – or about seven per year. Wolfer would like to double the annual number. Construction will begin in September on two new homes in the Midlands. 

“There's great need in the Columbia metropolitan area. There’s a lot of potential, and we're just scratching the surface,” he says. 

 

Wolfer emphasizes that Habitat homebuyers qualify based on their ability to pay, willingness to partner, and need for housing. Homes are sold with a 25-year mortgage set at no more than 30 percent of the family's gross income to keep them affordable. 

 

“We recruit individuals and families who qualify as low income, but who have steady employment and are able to pay a mortgage,” he says. “We also require 300 hours of sweat equity (work on their own and other houses), individual financial counseling, and homebuyer education workshops.” 
 

Construction is supported by volunteers, in-kind donations of building materials, proceeds from Habitat ReStore, and monetary gifts. The organization also is implementing a new financial strategy where banks buy Habitat's mortgages, allowing the organization to recycle funds more quickly to build more houses. 

 

Another initiative is called Neighborhood Revitalization, which includes small-scale repair projects in areas where Habitat homes are built. Wolfer also noted exploration of innovative solutions to address the affordable housing shortage and the challenge of finding buildable property such as tiny homes and multifamily buildings. Other ideas include partnerships with developers for mixed-income developments and modular or even AI-assisted building methods. In addition, county governments have shown interest in partnerships with Habitat to address affordable housing for teachers, first responders, and veterans. 

 

Wolfer attributes the affordable housing shortage to in-migration, a lack of public commitment to housing, and the demolition of public housing developments without adequate replacement. This year, the state has fallen off several top 10 lists of the most affordable states to buy a house, SC Public Radio reports. Indeed, United Way of the Midlands reports the shortage of affordable housing is especially acute in the Midlands. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the gap between low incomes and the high cost of housing exacerbates the crisis. 

 

“We have an exciting energy to explore ideas and potential strategies that would allow us to get more people housed faster and without too much additional expense,” Wolfer says. 

 

Building community bonds 

 

That same energy is fueling a number of special community outreach events this fall, including a celebration of the lives of President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter. The Carters were longtime volunteers who had a decades-long partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Their legacy will be honored with the building of two homes in Cayce, South Carolina. Events include a First Nail Ceremony on Sept. 10, a Wall-Raising Celebration on Sept. 12, a twilight tour of the build site called Under the Trusses on Sept. 16, and a home dedication in December.  

 

In recognition of United Nations World Habitat Day, the organization will conduct its first Affordable Housing Symposium (Foundations for the Future) with Clint Smith, author of The New York Times best-seller, How the Word is Passed. The free event is at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College, 7300 College St., Irmo, South Carolina. 

 

To engage the Midlands’ youngest residents and their parents in the mission of housing equity, Habitat organized its inaugural Lego Homebuilding Challenge at Edventure Children’s Museum this summer. Children ages 4 to 12 competed for small prizes as a fun way to raise awareness and stimulate creativity. 

 

Building community bonds extends to the USC College of Social Work where Wolfer is a professor. Over the past two decades, about 30 students have completed field placements with Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity – providing opportunities for hands-on learning and professional experience. Two USC alumni are key staff members for the organization: Brittani Richards, grants manager, and Emily Fernald, homeowner services director. In addition, lecturer Jennifer Bosio-McArdle has organized service projects for students to work on a Habitat site and learn about housing needs. 

 

“I’m proud of the students who do placements at Habitat and of the graduates who have make significant contributions to our organization,” Wolfer says. “Housing is more than shelter — it is a cornerstone of quality of life for individuals and families. It provides a foundation for health, education, safety and social inclusion. Without it, every other aspect of life becomes more precarious.”