Tiny Homes for Soteria Graduates: A New Housing Solution for Reentering Society

JULY 30, 2026

Reprinted from The Greenville Journal

GREENVILLE, S.C. - A tiny home project in Greenville County aims to create more affordable housing for people who were formerly incarcerated. 

The vision for the Tiny House Collaborative originated within the architecture department at the Fine Arts Center in Greenville County Schools. Department Chair Catherine Smith-Gates instructed her students to design three tiny homes for those experiencing homelessness in the fall of 2026.

These designs will be used to create a tiny home community for Soteria Community Development Corp., a Greenville-based nonprofit assisting men and women who were previously imprisoned. Five homes are planned for graduates of the organization’s one-year transitional program, each with a monthly rent of around $400 to $500.

Jerry Blassingame, CEO of Soteria CDC, said it can be difficult for people released from prison to access affordable housing. He explained that landlords often reject an applicant with a criminal record.

“We’ve been trying to get the stock of housing up for people with criminal backgrounds,” Blassingame said. “This tiny home community will be another step where people with criminal backgrounds can rent a safe, quality place to live for a period of time.”

Optus Financial and M&F Bank to merge; largest in US history

July 13, 2026

Reprinted from The Triangle Tribune

Optus Bank and Durham-based Mechanics & Farmers Bank will merge to unite two of the nation’s longest-standing Minority Depository Institutions.

Optus Financial Corporation, based in Columbia, South Carolina, is the parent company of Optus Bank. M&F Bancorp, Inc. is the parent company of M&F Bank.

Under the terms of the agreement, MFBP will merge with and into Optus, and M&F Bank will merge with and into Optus Bank. The transaction value is expected to exceed $105 million.

This transformative partnership brings together two mission-driven  financial institutions with more than 220 years of combined banking experience and a shared commitment to expanding access to capital, advancing economic opportunity, and strengthening underserved communities. The combined organization will build upon a legacy of community development, wealth creation, and economic empowerment that has impacted generations across the Carolinas.

The announcement comes at a pivotal time as Optus Bank prepares to celebrate 105 years of “Banking on Communities” in October. Founded in 1921 as Victory Savings Bank, Optus has evolved into one of the nation’s leading MDIs and certified Community Development Financial Institutions, dedicated to expanding access to credit, capital and financial services.

M&F Bank, founded in 1907, has a longstanding history of empowering individuals, families, and businesses throughout North Carolina and is widely recognized as one of the nation’s oldest and most respected African American-owned financial institutions.

Upon completion of the transaction, the combined institution will operate 10 locations across North Carolina and South Carolina and will have approximately $1.27 billion in total assets as of March 31,

MFBP President and Chief Executive Officer James H. Sills III will serve as CEO of both the combined holding company and bank. Optus Chairman Paul Mitchell will continue as chairman of both entities.

“This partnership with M&F Bank represents a defining moment, not only for our organizations but for mission-driven banking in America,” Mitchell said. “M&F Bank has a proud legacy of supporting entrepreneurship, fostering generational wealth, and expanding access to capital in underserved communities. Together, we will create a stronger institution with greater scale, enhanced capabilities, and an expanded capacity to advance economic mobility throughout the Carolinas and beyond.”

Closing is anticipated in the fourth quarter.

SCACED Launches OpportunitySC Podcast

JUNE 10, 2026

South Carolina Association of Community Economic Development (SCACED) has launched a new audio series, the OpportunitySC Podcast. This platform will highlight critical discussions around community economic development, affordable housing, financial equity, and grassroots initiatives happening across South Carolina. This monthly podcast series will feature interviews with community leaders, financial experts, policymakers, and grassroots organizers.

Whether you are a community developer, a local entrepreneur, or someone passionate about building a more equitable South Carolina, this series will give you a front-row seat to the movement.

Be sure to subscribe to the OpportunitySC Podcast on your favorite listening platforms, and check back regularly on the SCACED Website for updates, show notes, and links to upcoming episodes as we continue building stronger communities together.

Thursday Lunch Keynote Conversation with Don Phoenix, NeighborWorks America and Mark Mullinix, The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Do not miss Opportunity SC: 2018 Thursday Lunch Keynote Conversation with Don Phoenix, Regional Vice President, Southern Region NeighborWorks® America and Mark Mullinix, Retired Chief Operating Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.  Lunch is presented by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Community Development.

Community Garden Grants Available

SCACED in partnership with USDA has available four (4) grants for the establishment of community gardens in low-access, rural communities and (1)  Hoop House Grant. Community Gardening Grants of $3,000.00 are available to (4) communities and (1) Hoop House Grant in the amount of $10,000. 

In partnership with SCACED and USDA, increase awareness of community gardening by:
• Establishing community garden in low-access, rural community
• Encouraging intergenerational experiences in agriculture and conservation
• Building new and/or strengthening existing partnerships for outreach to new markets
• Promoting the wise use of natural and human resources, thereby improving economic opportunities and general well-being of peoples in South Carolina
Click Here for the Garden Application and Click Here for the Hoop House Application

Grants are Due at Noon on June 29.