VisionGreenwood brings awareness, facilitates solutions for attainable housing

Left to right (front row): Rick Green, Stephen Baggett, ShaDonte Butler, Carol Coleman, Brandon Smith and Thornwell Dunlap. Left to Right (back row): David Tompkins, Julia Brown, Kay Self, Jon Keagle, Jeff Meredith, Wells Dunlap, and Daniel Williams.

VisionGreenwood, an established community partner dedicated to making Greenwood, S.C. the best place in which to live, work and raise a family, is addressing the need for attainable housing in the local community through a multifaceted, solutions-oriented approach – from identifying opportunities to developing partnerships and providing resources.

Attainable housing is an integral concept that acknowledges the pressing need to make homeownership and rental housing accessible to a broader spectrum of individuals and families. It goes beyond the traditional affordable housing model by focusing on creating housing options within the reach of working and middle-class populations. Attainable housing initiatives often involve partnerships between the public and private sectors, leveraging innovative financing models, reduced regulatory barriers and sustainable design practices.

“VisionGreenwood remains intentional about continuing to identify initiatives to advance Greenwood as a community of choice. Clearly, attainable and affordable housing is foundational for building a strong community. Providing accessible, quality housing near key employment centers is a critical component to sustaining and supporting local economic development,” said Kay Self, Executive Director of VisionGreenwood.

In May 2024, VisionGreenwood unveiled the comprehensive Westside Master Plan, a collaborative effort among city officials, planners, community stakeholders and residents to envision a vibrant and sustainable future for one of Greenwood’s historic neighborhoods. The comprehensive plan preserves existing owner-occupied housing while introducing additional attainable housing options within this revitalized neighborhood, which is located near major employment centers in Greenwood’s innovation district, including the main campus of Self Regional Healthcare and Greenwood Genetic Center.

With the goal of replicating similar revitalization with attainable and affordable housing components in other parts of Greenwood, VisionGreenwood partnered with local leaders of Countybank, which has been supporting Greenwood and surrounding Upstate communities for more than 90 years and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta), which offers affordable housing programs and community development initiatives.

On July 11, 2024, VisionGreenwood, together with Countybank and Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta), facilitated a “summit,” themed “Collaborating to Address Greenwood’s Affordable Housing Needs” to identify new partnerships and funding opportunities for continued growth in Greenwood. Participants included representatives from city and county government, community agencies and business.

“We recognize housing is a critical need and vital to the health and the well-being of the families in our community. Countybank is proud to work with VisionGreenwood to create attainable housing solutions that serve our working and middle-class families,” said Thornwell Dunlap, CEO & President of Countybank.

VisionGreenwood kicked off the summit by presenting an overview of its current and ongoing community development initiatives, including the Westside Master Plan. FHLBank Atlanta followed with details on the affordable housing programs available through its member financial institutions (e.g., Countybank), including programs to support single family and multi-family initiatives. The summit wrapped up with an open group discussion about ways to leverage FHLBank Atlanta’s products and services to support the strategic objectives of Countybank and VisionGreenwood.

“Addressing today’s affordable housing needs requires like-minded organizations to come together, and that’s exactly what VisionGreenwood facilitated with this impactful summit,” said FHLBank Atlanta Community Investment Relationship Manager ShaDonte Butler. “We were proud to take part in the event and are pleased to offer grants through our member banks to support housing and economic development in communities like Greenwood.”

Attendees: Greenwood Affordable Housing Summit

Stephen Baggett, Executive Director, Greenwood Community Home Repair
Brandon Smith, Mayor of the City of Greenwood, SC
Rick Green, Government Services Director, Upper Savannah Council of Governments
Kay Self, Executive Director, VisionGreenwood
Carol Coleman, Planning Director, Greenwood City & County
Blake Sanders, President, Studio Main LLC
Jeff Meredith, General Manager, Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works
Thornwell Dunlap, President and Chief Executive Officer, Countybank
Wells Dunlap, Senior Operations Officer, Countybank
David Tompkins, Commercial Banking Manager, Countybank
ShaDonte Butler, Senior Affordable Housing Program Relationship Manager, FHLBank Atlanta
Jon Keagle, Manager of Community Financial Institutions, FHLBank Atlanta
Daniel Williams, Senior Relationship Manager, FHLBank Atlanta
Julia Brown, Multifamily Portfolio Manager, FHLBank Atlanta
Affordable Housing

The term “affordable housing” in this context refers to housing that does not exceed one third of the income of households earning less than 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Greenwood’s AMI was $47,052 in 2022.

About VisionGreenwood

VisionGreenwood is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with deep roots in the Greenwood community. Throughout the past 20-plus years, VisionGreenwood (formerly known as the Foundation for a Greater Greenwood County, Inc.) has invested over $2.9 million into the community by supporting collaborative community development initiatives that provide economic prosperity and enhance the growth and success of Greenwood. The Foundation was originally created to support the former Greenwood Partnership Alliance’s charitable operations with a focus on community and workforce development. The Foundation became a stand-alone organization in 2020 and was rebranded as VisionGreenwood in 2021. By intent and design, VisionGreenwood continues to be a community partner that is focused on Greenwood’s future, economic growth and development and quality of life. Learn more at www.visiongreenwood.org.

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