Safe Housing and Economic Development

What Safe Housing and Economic Development does

Safe Housing and Economic Development, Inc. (SHED) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affordable housing provider incorporated in November 2002 and headquartered in Welch, McDowell County, West Virginia. The organization was spun off from Stop Abusive Family Environment (SAFE), a domestic-violence program, to manage rental housing and deliver community economic development in southern West Virginia, specifically McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming Counties. Its mission is to provide stable and sustainable communities by empowering residents through housing and economic development opportunities.

SHED's core product is a portfolio of five income-restricted rental properties — Broadstreet Manor (4 units), Elizabeth Drewry Apartments (15 units), The Payne Building, Starland Heights (47 units), and The Oaks (senior housing for residents 62+) — collectively comprising more than 70 units of affordable housing for low-income families, seniors, and disabled individuals, with ADA-accessible options across the portfolio. The second product line is a Septic Loan Program offered in partnership with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, providing loans of up to $10,000 at a 2% fixed rate over 10 years to homeowners with failing septic systems; the program is not income-restricted and charges a $350 origination fee plus a $60 credit-report fee. Underlying technology is minimal: no platform, no APIs, no integrations — operations run on traditional property management and loan processing backed by a WordPress website. The portfolio is financed through CHDO/HOME funds (HUD via WVHDF), Section 515 and Community Facility funds (USDA-RD), and AHP grants (Federal Home Loan Bank).

SHED's revenue model is a mix of recurring monthly rental income from the housing portfolio (income-based, often with Section 8 / Section 515 subsidies) and transaction fees from the Septic Loan Program. Customer segments are exclusively low-income individuals, seniors aged 62+, disabled residents, and homeowners needing septic repair — all reached through community-led, partnership-driven distribution via county health departments, WVHDF, USDA, LISC, CommunityWorks WV, and word of mouth, with no formal sales motion or marketing infrastructure. Headcount is 7-8 staff, including an Executive Director (Leanne Martin), Financial Officer, Property Manager, Project Manager, and maintenance/housekeeping personnel, all deeply rooted in the local McDowell County community.

Name

Safe Housing and Economic Development

Legal name

Safe Housing and Economic Development, Inc.

Website

https://shedhousing.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Safe Housing and Economic Development (SHED) is a West Virginia 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates 70+ affordable rental units across five properties and a low-interest septic loan program for low-income families, seniors, and disabled residents in McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming Counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Welch

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Rental Income: SHED generates revenue through rental income from multiple properties including Broadstreet Manor, Elizabeth Drewry Apartments, The Payne Building, Starland Heights, and The Oaks. Rental agreements are based on income for most properties, with rents including various utilities and services depending on the property.
2. Septic Loan Program: The organization facilitates septic loans through a partnership with West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Loans have a 10-year term at 2% fixed interest rate, with funding up to $10,000. Origination fee of $350 and $60 credit report fee are charged. This is not income-restricted.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Safe Housing and Economic Development (SHED) operates as a nonprofit affordable housing provider managing a portfolio of five income-restricted rental properties across McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming Counties in southern West Virginia, serving families, seniors aged 62+, and disabled residents. The organization also administers a low-interest septic system repair loan program in partnership with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, offering loans up to $10,000 at a 2% fixed rate over 10 years to homeowners with malfunctioning septic systems.

Product overview

Safe Housing and Economic Development (SHED) operates as a nonprofit affordable housing provider offering a portfolio of five residential properties across McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming Counties in southern West Virginia, complemented by a septic loan program. The five properties—Broadstreet Manor, Elizabeth Drewry Apartments, The Payne Building, Starland Heights, and The Oaks—provide income-restricted rental housing serving diverse populations including families, seniors (62+), and elderly/disabled individuals. Properties range from 4 to 47 units offering 1-2 bedroom configurations with varying amenities. The Septic Loan Program operates as a separate offering providing low-interest financing for homeowners needing septic system repairs, funded through partnerships with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Broadstreet Manor

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 70 affordable housing units managed across 5 properties
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• CommunityWorks in West VirginiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunityWorks partners with SHED on community development initiatives in West Virginia, with a mission to create housing and community development solutions for West Virginians.
• LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLISC is a national community development organization that builds local capacity to drive community change. They partner with SHED to support affordable housing and economic development efforts.
• West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WV DEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWV DEP works with SHED to provide septic loans to homeowners, with the goal of prohibiting septic systems from polluting rivers, creeks, and streams.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit developer, owner, and financier of affordable rental housing, including in rural and small-town markets. Directly comparable in rental affordable housing operations and CHDO capacity-building role, but at much larger scale.
• Mercy Housing: National nonprofit affordable housing owner/operator serving low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Comparable in operating subsidized rental housing with supportive services for vulnerable populations, though national in scope.
• Habitat for Humanity International: National nonprofit affordable housing developer and lender serving low-income families, including rural Appalachian affiliates. Broadly comparable in mission and beneficiary profile, though operates at vastly larger scale and different model (homeownership vs. rental).
• Volunteers of America: National nonprofit operating affordable and supportive housing for low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Comparable in operating subsidized rental housing with wraparound services, including in rural markets.

Others

• Stop Abusive Family Environments (SAFE): Predecessor organization from which SHED was spun off in 2002; the original domestic violence shelter program. Relevant as the parent/incubator entity and as a comparison point for SHED's organizational evolution from social services into property development.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National community development financial institution that supports CHDOs like SHED with capital, grants, and capacity building. Already a partner of SHED, and comparable as an ecosystem enabler for the same type of affordable housing providers.

Regional players

• Coalfield Development Corporation: West Virginia-based social enterprise focused on workforce and community development in post-coal Appalachian communities. Comparable in geography, beneficiary base, and integrated housing/economic development approach, though not primarily a housing operator.

Direct peers

• Housing Assistance Council: National nonprofit focused specifically on rural affordable housing, serving very low-income families in underserved rural communities. Highly comparable in mission, geography type, and beneficiary profile, including Appalachian focus.
• West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF): State housing finance agency and SHED's primary funding partner for CHDO/HOME development. Directly comparable as a producer and financier of affordable housing in West Virginia through overlapping programs.
• CommunityWorks West Virginia: West Virginia statewide community development nonprofit with overlapping mission of housing and economic development in WV. Already a strategic partner of SHED, making it the closest comparable in geography, mission, and program mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxJ43bnUaD15NiA-pTGwq-w
• Facebookfacebook.com/SHED-Safe-Housing-Economic-Development-Inc-61567941272178
• Instagraminstagram.com/wvhousing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/safe-housing-and-economic-development-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Safe Housing and Economic Development