Beyond Housing SC seeks to raise funds for affordable senior complexes in Greenville
One of Greenville's oldest affordable housing organizations, Beyond Housing South Carolina, is hosting a fundraiser to support senior residents.
The "No Place Like Home" Fundraiser will be held Friday, April 7 at 7 p.m., at Zen, located at 924 S. Main St. The fundraiser seeks to raise money for affordable housing complexes for seniors. It will include food, music and education on other affordable housing issues.
"More than 50,000 Greenville County residents were 65 or older in 2018. The population will swell to 73,141 by 2029. Twenty-two percent of those extremely low-income renter households are seniors," said Sheila Dogan, Beyond Housing SC's executive director. "That 20 percent are currently living with more than 30 percent of their monthly income spent on rent. Because of that, there is not enough disposable income for other necessities like food and medication."
Read more: South Carolina to have more seniors than young people by 2026
The Beyond Housing SC senior complexes in Greenville will create a lower housing cost. This will allow for more residents to have more disposable income and help preserve seniors' independence while being in a safe environment.
"Living on a fixed income is a juggling act. It's not easy," Dogan said.
Affordability is one of the most important issues to Beyond Housing.
"We're one of the most unaffordable areas to live in," said Tameka Thomason, Beyond Housing SC's treasurer and board member.
About Beyond Housing South Carolina
Beyond Housing SC was created in 1989 by the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority (GCRA), formerly known as Neighborhood Housing Corporation.
Since 1989, Beyond Housing SC has created over 200 homeownership and rental opportunities for seniors and others who struggle to find affordable housing. The organization has 15 parcels of land, most of which are close to downtown Greenville.
Income requirements for home ownership through Beyond Housing range between about $60,000 and $80,000 for household sizes of one to three people.
"We're working to make sure we can keep homeownership affordable and obtainable," Thomason said.
The organization's rental properties are available to those who make 30 percent of the area's median income. A two-bedroom, one-bath Beyond Housing unit rents for $650.
Tickets are available for the Beyond Housing Fundraiser on the Eventbrite website for $75. There are also sponsorship opportunities available for tickets. Contact a member of Beyond Housing for more information.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Beyond Housing SC to host a fundraiser for affordable senior housing
