“Greenville is investing more in affordable housing than any other city in South Carolina, all without a tax increase,” said Greenville Mayor Knox White. City leaders and affordable housing partners recently gathered at a ceremonial check presentation held at Greenville’s Unity Park to celebrate an Accelerated Funding Announcement for the Greenville Housing Fund. It was a joyous gathering for a plan that’s been in the works for years.
Greenville City Council recently approved a unique public-private partnership between the Greenville Housing Fund, the city of Greenville, and Truist Bank that could serve as a model for other cities to follow. Under the new funding plan, needed affordable and workforce housing development will accelerate, starting with a 13.4 million loan to the Greenville Housing Fund.
One of the first projects to benefit from the new funds is Southernside East, the first phase of a 147-unit affordable senior living community, designed by McMillan Pazdan Smith. Southernside will be located on vacant acreage that the city land-banked at the corner of West Washington and Hudson Streets. The community will feature 93 age-restricted apartment homes with residential amenities in two separate buildings, framing the recently completed Lila Mae Brock Plaza, all within walking distance of Unity Park. With support from neighborhood residents, the Greenville Housing Fund and the city, Southernside Senior Apartments will be a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive community that will act as a catalyst for future affordable development around the park.
To read more about this landmark funding announcement, visit: GSA Business Report and Greenville Journal, or watch this 20-second clip from Mayor Knox White speaking about the new housing: