Community Partners
United Way of Greenville County
http://www.unitedwaygc.org/index.php
The United Way of Greenville County (UW) continues to be a catalyst for change to improve the lives of less fortunate families and individuals in our community. UW assumed a leadership role in identifying strategies to increase affordable housing opportunities for modest income residents in Greenville. In 2000 the UW Community Impact Agenda identified affordable housing as a major problem. The UW Strengthening Families and Neighborhoods Impact Council engaged Randolph McKetty & Associates to conduct the Affordable Housing Opportunity Assessment to make recommendations to take local housing efforts to the next level. After the study was completed UW moved swiftly by collaborating with the City of Greenville and the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority to establish a local housing trust fund- a major recommendation from the study. UW convened the Workforce Housing Task Force of about 50 community leaders to help increase awareness about affodrable housing and to develop the housing trust fund. UW provided seed money through its Giving Fund and later approved $500,000 over 3 years to support GHF. We applaud UWs vision, leadership, and support to help make GHF a reality in this community.
The City of Greenville
http://www.greatergreenville.com
In 2006 the City of Greenville partnered with the United Way and the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority to staff the UW Workforce and Affordable Housing Task Force- the group responsible for establishing GHF. The City's Housing and Community Development Division worked closely with GHF to identify the need for more flexible financing to support affordable housing development within the city limits. The City has worked diligently in meeting affordable housing needs in low income communities by offering vacant property to local nonprofit housing developers. As a result we have seen an increase in new housing development in the West Greenville, Viola Street, Southernside, Haynie Sirrine, Green Avenue, and Greenline Spartanburg neighborhoods. In an effort to increase the production of affordable housing City Council approved $300,000 in funding for GHF activities.
Greenville County Redevelopment Authority
http://www.greenvillecounty.org/redevelopment
Recognizing the need for more flexible financial resources to encourage affordable housing development, the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority (GCRA) partnered with the United Way and the City of Greenville to help create the Greenville Housing Fund. GCRA was established in 1974 and serves as a county agency for providing quality affordable housing for low and moderate income citizens. GCRA applies a unique and comprehensive approach to revitalizing low-income communities. Not only do they improve housing conditions through the acquisition, rehabilitation, and new construction of affordable housing but they also replace roads and physical infrastructure of these communities. The Freetown Community is a shining example of GCRA’s revitalization efforts. They are currently working to revitalize the Brutontown community. GCRA committed $250,000 in its HOME funds allocation to support GHF programs. We are delighted to have GCRA as one of our Community partners.
Hollingsworth Fund
http://www.cfgg.com/page18742.cfm
Greenville is very fortunate to have the Hollingsworth Fund, a local foundation established in honor of the late John D. Hollingsworth, Jr. The Hollingsworth Fund contributes to many worthwhile organizations in Greenville. Contributions must be made for charitable purposes to benefit the residents of Greenville County. The Hollingsworth Fund is a strong supporter of public private partnerships that work together to solve community problems. They became an early supporter of GHF by committing $250,000 over two years. We are delighted to partner with the Hollingsworth Fund and applaud their visionary leadership in supporting affordable housing.
Community Foundation of Greenville
The Community Foundation of Greenville, Inc. is a public charity established in 1956 by visionary donors who sought to create a way to give back to their community and improve the quality of life for the citizens of Greenville County. The Community Foundation provides community grants to numerous charitable organizations. They encourage collaboratives and partnerships that lead to meaningful, sustained differences in our community. The Community Foundation approved $250,000 to fund GHF's Homes for Teachers Program. This important programs provides assistance to teachers who want to become homeowners.
Greater Greenville Association of Realtors
Greater Greenville Association of Realtors is a strong supporter of affordable housing in the Greater Greenville. They have actively supported organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the City of Greenville Homeownership Fair. The GGAR Workforce and Affordable Housing Committee seeks opportunities to get local realtors involved in the development of affordable housing. GHF and GGAR have recently partnered to provide the Home from Work Employer Assisted Housing Program. Home from Work is a national employer assisted housing program sponsored by the National Association of Realtors. Through this program local employers are encouraged to provide homebuyer assistance as part of its employee benefit plan.
Greenville Hospital System
GHF has partnered with the Greenville Hospital System (GHS) to implement the Home from Work Employer Assisted Housing Program for GHS employees. GHS has joined numerous employers across the country who recognize the importance of recruiting and retaining good employees by offering housing assistance as an additional employee benefit. GHS will provide up to $5,000 to eligible employees to purchase a home within a 5 mile radius of one of its 5 hospital locations. The program is available to eligible employees who are first time homebuyers or wish to move closer to their workplace. We are excited that GHS has stepped up to become the first employer in the Upstate to invest in the Home for Work Program
Greenville County School District
http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us
The Greenville County School District has teamed up with GHF to offer the Homes for Teachers program. The Homes for Teachers Program offers downpayment assistance to certified teachers interested in purchasing their first home in Greenville County. Eligible teachers may receive up to $5,000 in a forgivable loan over a five year period. Greenville Schools is currently using the program to help recruit and retain qualified teachers in our community.
First Citizens Bank
http://www.firstcitizensonline.com/
GHF acts as an intermediary to assist local housing organizations and developers to achieve their goals of providing quality affordable housing for Greenville residents. As an important financing resource, it is critical that we minimize our operating costs to be able to help more organizations. We have been able to significantly reduce our operating costs thanks to the donated office space by First Citizens Bank.
Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
We are very appreciative to Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA for their legal assistance in reviewing many of our legal forms and documents that are required to implement our programs. GHF operates similar to banks and it is very important that we have quality legal counsel. HSB is critical to GHF's success.
Greenville County Human Relations Key Program
http://www.greenvillecounty.org/Human_Relations/
GHF is proud to partner with Greenville County Human Relations Key Program to offer homebuyer education and counseling to persons receiving GHF homebuyer assistance. Years of research have shown that homebuyers who receive extensive homebuyer education prior to purchasing their home are less likely to default or foreclose on their home. The Key Program offers a six hour homebuyer class that is required by everyone who receives GHF downpayment and closing costs assistance. We will also partner with the Key Program to provide one-on-one homebuyer counseling, financial literacy training, and foreclosure counseling. The Human Relations Comission is a HUD certified counselor.
