Women Build on Johns Island Draws 300 Volunteers, Could Cut Construction by Two Months

Habitat for Humanity event aims to help address affordable housing crisis in Charleston County

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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On Johns Island, the Sea Island Habitat for Humanity is hosting its annual Women Build event, drawing about 300 volunteers to help construct a home for future homeowner Carol Mack. The volunteers are working alongside skilled craftsmen to speed up the construction process, which organizers say could shave nearly two months off the timeline. Habitat for Humanity helps address the affordable housing crisis in the Charleston area by setting mortgage terms designed to keep homes affordable for families at or below 80% of the area median income.

Why it matters

The Lowcountry region, including Charleston County, is facing an affordable housing crisis, with nearly 90,000 families spending about 30% of their income on housing costs. Habitat for Humanity and initiatives like the Women Build event aim to help lower-income residents achieve homeownership and address this pressing issue in the community.

The details

The Women Build event on Johns Island brings together volunteers to help construct a home for future homeowner Carol Mack. The volunteers are working alongside skilled craftsmen to speed up the construction process, which organizers say could shave nearly two months off the timeline. Habitat for Humanity helps address the affordable housing crisis by setting mortgage terms designed to keep homes affordable for families at or below 80% of the area median income, a range where affordable options can be difficult to find.

  • The Women Build event is taking place this week on Johns Island.
  • The project is expected to be completed in the spring.

The players

Sea Island Habitat for Humanity

A regional Habitat for Humanity organization working to address the affordable housing crisis in the Charleston area.

Carol Mack

The future homeowner whose home is being constructed during the Women Build event.

Emily Speck

A representative from Sea Island Habitat for Humanity who spoke about the organization's efforts to address the affordable housing crisis.

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What they’re saying

“The biggest thing for us is really that affordability. Our homeowners fall within that 80% of median income. And really, depending on the families, that's hard to find housing like that.”

— Emily Speck, Representative, Sea Island Habitat for Humanity (abcnews4.com)

“It's something I'm going to own and look forward to.”

— Carol Mack (abcnews4.com)

What’s next

A groundbreaking is also planned later this year for Sweetgrass Preserve, a 40-home development planned for Johns Island.

The takeaway

The Women Build event on Johns Island highlights the collaborative efforts of Habitat for Humanity and the local community to address the affordable housing crisis in the Charleston area. By engaging volunteers and setting affordable mortgage terms, Habitat for Humanity is working to make homeownership more accessible for lower-income families in the region.