Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County expands through new advocacy subcommittee and vice president of strategic initiatives position
October 1, 2019
Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County, a leading voice for affordable housing initiatives in South Carolina, has taken two key steps in formalizing its political outreach and advocacy efforts: creating a new Board of Directors advocacy subcommittee and creating the new position of vice president of strategic initiatives. Long-serving Habitat for Humanity senior staff member Gail Smith Peay has been appointed to this new role.
Peay will now be primarily responsible for the organization’s political outreach and advocacy efforts designed to help promote the importance of and need for more affordable housing options in Greenville County and throughout the State of South Carolina. Habitat will identify and work to improve policies and systems through coordinated efforts at the local, state and federal levels. Peay will also help to craft a legislative agenda on critical policy issues, such as funding allocations, property tax credits or waivers for low-income homeowners, inclusionary zoning, community development block grants, etc. She will continue to represent Habitat Greenville at several major annual events, including Habitat for Humanity International’s annual legislative conference and the statewide legislative day in Columbia.
Additionally, Peay will coordinate with fellow local non-profit entities in the affordable housing space, including Homes of Hope, United Ministries, the Greenville Housing Trust and Genesis Homes, among others, to develop a more unified voice and cohesive efforts to advance common interests.
“Greenville has done an excellent job of addressing the affordable housing conversation, but the efforts have been scattered and, in some cases, duplicative,” said Peay. “I am thrilled to take on this new role and to work with these esteemed committee members and other motivated organizations and leaders to do what’s best for the place we all call home.”
The new advocacy subcommittee consists of current Board of Directors members who will play a key role in interfacing with local and statewide political leaders and local organizations and businesses to encourage support for an affordable housing based agenda, with a focus on supporting legislative initiatives aimed at revising those laws that create barriers to the development of affordable housing. Advocacy Committee members include Dan Weidenbenner (Chair), executive director of Mill Community Ministries; Luis Caciedo, branch manager and mortgage officer at New American Funding; Whitney Hanna, Coordinator of Community Collaboration at Greenville County Schools; Laura Caligan-Gilliam, chief strategist at The Graham Foundation and LaVonne Thompson, retired assistant attorney general of the U.S. Government of the Virgin Islands.
“While Habitat Greenville has always been a vocal advocate for affordable housing in the Upstate, this new role and subcommittee will be critical to focusing and consistently driving our message in 2019 and beyond,” said Monroe Free, Executive Director of Habitat Greenville. “This is one of the most critical issues facing our community as we continue our rapid growth, and you can expect to hear a lot more from us on this topic in the near future.”
About Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County:
Habitat for Humanity Greenville County is a leading voice in addressing the pressing need for affordable housing options in Greenville County, partnering with local government and the private sector to offer viable solutions and advocate for impactful public policy. As part of its financial management program, the organization educates, informs and empowers participants to effectively manage their credit and secure low-interest mortgages, allowing them to purchase their own homes and help contribute positively to the community and the tax base of Greenville County.
Through these efforts and the construction of houses, Habitat for Humanity of Greenville enables Greenville families with low income to build strength, stability and self-reliance. Habitat Greenville received the EarthCraft Builder of the Year Award in 2017. Chartered in 1985, Habitat Greenville has completed construction of more than 360 homes. In recognition of its financial health, accountability and transparency, Habitat Greenville received 4-Star Charity status by Charity Navigator and a Platinum rating by Guidestar. Learn more at www.habitatgreenville.org.
