2023 goals: Greenville Housing Fund plans to increase attention on gentrified neighborhoods

Royale Bonds, Greenville News
·3 min read
This affordable housing project on the edge of Unity Park will be managed by the Greenville Housing Fund.
This affordable housing project on the edge of Unity Park will be managed by the Greenville Housing Fund.

Christie Cade is the regional vice president of NeighborWorks America. An article published online Dec. 2 incorrectly identified her title according to information from the Greenville Housing Fund.

The Greenville Housing Fund's annual meeting was held Thursday to report progress and future goals to the community, introduce new board members and honor its supporters.

Greenville Housing Fund President and CEO Bryan Brown said, "The purpose of the Greenville Housing Fund is to ensure Greenville achieves housing affordability solutions to meet the diverse of our growing economy and thriving community."

The organization has three main goals: invest in affordable housing, operate a land bank and engage in community advocacy.

The Housing Fund works closely with Greenville County’s municipalities to address the issue of affordable housing through lending, investment, direct development, and through partnerships and advocacy.

Greenville Housing Fund's 2022 year in review

  • The production of 246 new affordable apartments and homes in Greenville County, along with preserving the affordability of 240 homes.

  • The launch of a real-estate impact fund during 2022, giving local private investors a means to participate in the production and preservation of affordable and workforce housing across Greenville.

  • The City of Greenville authorized $4 million for affordable housing during 2022, providing support for the organization’s work.

  • GHF received $1 million from Greenville County and the City of Travelers Rest to preserve the Harmony Ridge senior housing community.

  • Greenville County endorsed $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for affordable housing over the current two-year budget cycle and approved a first-ever countywide Affordable Housing Incentive Policy using tax abatements to encourage development of housing that serves households earning below 80% of the area median income.

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Greenville Housing Fund's goals/priorities for 2023

Keynote speaker Christie Cade said, "The big idea for 2023 is to be IDEA. Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable, and in Action."

"Working together in solidarity with others and approaching your efforts through the lens of resilience produces outcomes that will protect and improve the community well-being. In the face of stresses and uncertainty, unity will bring confidence," said Cade, the Southern Region Senior Director of NeighborWorks America.

  • Planning and development at Unity Park, land the city has provided for 1,000 residents.

  • GHF plans to work with its public, private-sector, and nonprofit partners to increase attention on “special emphasis” neighborhoods (neighborhoods being gentrified) in 2023 by boosting investment and financing, especially for in-fill housing and homeownership opportunities, and by “land banking” property for future development to preserve affordability.

  • Secure new sources of private, state and federal funding for affordable development across Greenville.

Honorees

  • The city of Greenville was honored as the 2022 Champion of Affordable Housing in recognition of exceptional leadership, dedication and support for affordable housing development and preservation in Greenville.

  • Affordable Upstate was the 2022 Excellence in Affordable Housing Preservation honoree, recognizing its commitment and dedication to preserving affordable housing in Greenville.

  • Outgoing board members Maurie Lawrence, Dan Weidenbenner and Bogue Wallin were honored for their dedicated service, especially during the organization’s founding years.

  • Incoming Board Chair Matt Good praised outgoing Chair Deborah Long’s deep commitment and leadership during her term and welcomed new appointees James Jordon (Jordon Construction Company), Jimmy Kimbell (Southern First Bank), and Travis Wharton (United Way of Greenville County), who will be joining the Greenville Housing Fund Board in early 2023.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Greenville Housing Fund plans to increase attention on gentrification