GREENVILLE, SC – As part of the continued efforts to create more affordable housing inside city limits, a host of community leaders gathered this morning for the Southernside West groundbreaking.
Plans call for a 54-unit senior community to serve income eligible residents at 846 West Washington Street, the heart of Greenville’s historic Southernside neighborhood. The four-story development is geared for residents aged 55 and older, offering a mix of affordability levels serving households earning between 30% and 80% of area median income (AMI), with 10% of units specially reserved for individuals with disabilities.
Harmony Housing Affordable Development (HHAD), in partnership with the Greenville Housing Fund (GHF), are the developers of the project.
Financing for the development includes commitments from Huntington Bank as both construction lender and Federal Low Income Tax Credit Equity investor and CommunityWorks, a local CDFI. Permanent financing will be supported through a Freddie Mac 9% Forward Permanent loan arranged through JLL. The City of Greenville contributed to the project through a land donation. SC Housing’s awarded of allocation of 2025 Low-Income Housing Tax Credits were also used to finance the project.
“This project reflects Greenville’s commitment to building a city for everyone,” said Knox White, Mayor of the City of Greenville. “Greenville’s success depends on ensuring that people of all ages and income levels, including seniors who helped build this community, can continue to call Greenville home.”
The site was once the home of Southernside Block Partnership, a non-profit, community center founded by her mother, Lila Mae Brock, the mother of Councilwoman Lillian Brock Flemming who shared a personal perspective.
“While this represents years of public initiative, it is decades of vision coming to life. For many, this is a construction site, but for me, it’s home,” she said.
Located a few blocks from Unity Park and within easy walking distance of Main Street Greenville, Southernside West will offer a range of modern in-unit features, and community amenities will further enhance daily life, offering spaces to gather, stay active, and connect, including a welcoming community room, fitness center, free on-site parking, and bike racks.
The project team includes industry leaders including McMillan Pazdan Smith as architect, Creative Builders as General Contractor, and Thomas & Hutton as civil engineer. NHE, Inc. will serve as the property management team once the project is completed in 2027. The Greenville Housing Authority provided 14 Project Based Vouchers.
“At Southernside West, we’re creating more than affordable housing—we’re creating opportunities for Greenville’s seniors to age-in-place, and thrive,” said Aimee Gornto, Senior Development Associate with HHAD. “This development is a lasting investment in the people who have helped shape the Southernside community and deserve a safe, welcoming place to call home.”
Completion of Southernside West is anticipated in October 2027, followed by lease-up through year-end and conversion to permanent financing in April 2028, marking an exciting new chapter in expanding affordable housing opportunities in Greenville. Southernside West is a bookend to Southernside East, which GHF and HHAD also partnered on and is bringing 93 units to the community with a construction completion date in late 2026.
“Southernside West is the perfect example of how the Greenville Housing Fund leverages resources and funding to address the enormous demand for more affordable housing in our community,” said Jimmy Kimbell, GHF Board Chair
