"Building Homes for Today and Hope for Tomorrow". The UMRC, founded in 1991, grew out of a disaster response agency established by the United Methodist Church to coordinate housing repairs and reconstruction following Hurricane Hugo. While working and surveying in storm-damaged communities, the UMRC realized that the problems and needs went beyond the storm's destruction. A request to continue operations to provide housing assistance to those in the most desperate circumstances was granted. Using government and foundation grants, donations, and volunteer labor, the UMRC provides housing and advocacy assistance to rural poor homeowners in South Carolina. Partnerships with other agencies enable the UMRC to provide opportunities for low-income, first-time homebuyers.