From utilizing industrialized construction and a community land trust to address Burke County’s affordable housing crisis to developing an innovative program that improves the financial stability of families at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI), Open Hearts Place is charting new territory for addressing the root causes of instability. 

MISSION

The Mission of Open Hearts Place is to provide homes and purposeful opportunities for families to increase life skills, gain stability, and become more self-sufficient.

Vision

Moving hardworking families from financial uncertainty to a place of stability and homeownership.

VALUES

• COMMITMENT We are dedicated to having a long-term positive impact on the lives of hardworking people in our community.
• COMPASSION We strive to treat all people with kindness and respect, and we seek to understand and value the diverse knowledge, perspectives and experiences of others.
• EQUITY AND INCLUSION We are committed to educating ourselves on the diverse cultural, ethnic, racial and social experiences of our families and respond according to their unique or shared needs.
• INNOVATION We are continuously learning and actively adapting our approach based on new knowledge, perspectives and experiences.
• TRANSPARENCY We are dedicated to operating with the highest level of integrity. 
• COLLABORATION We collaborate and build community through partnerships founded on integrity and trust. Our work is centered around our program participants, and we invite them into our decision-making processes.  

Who we serve

Open Hearts Place serves families experiencing financial hardship. Also called ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), these individuals are working and have income levels above the Federal Poverty Line (FPL), but still do not make enough to afford basic living expenses. In Burke County, 29% of households experience this type of financial hardship.

how we serve

Open Hearts Place serves Burke County in two ways:

1. Our program for families at or below 80% Area Medium Income (AMI) provides a single-family home with an affordable rent (no more than 30% Gross Monthly Income) along with case management services, coaching, financial education, career counseling, and wellness services and activities as part of a personalized development plan.
2. ​Hildebran Switch, a 44-home attainable housing development in the Town of Hildebran, will feature small, modular homes (650-1300 SF) that are cost and energy efficient. Homes will be sold at prices attainable for those with low- to moderate-income levels (between 60-120% AMI).