Closing the Affordable Housing Deficit

Recognizing the immediate need to address growing gaps in the affordable housing stock, GHF mobilized the first $2 million in May 2018 by offering a below-market bridge/gap loan program. On September 17, 2018, GHF announced more than $800,000 in initial funding to these three projects to support the development of 113 units of affordable housing.

Additionally recognizing the need to not only produce new housing GHF will also launch a new Homeowner Preservation Program (HOPP) in November designed to work with local nonprofit partners to rehabilitate and preserve existing homes in neighborhoods experiencing strong gentrification pressures. GHF will offer $25,000 to nonprofit or government sponsor organizations that provide rehabilitation services.

In addition to these funding programs, GHF is working with the City and County to identify key parcels of land to acquire for future affordable housing development.

Programs Funded By GHF in 2018

habitat
Habitat for Humanity DevelopmentAt Jenkins Drive
logan-park
Preserve at Logan ParkAt Thurston and Augusta
stratham
Stratham DevelopmentAt Shaw Street

Objectives for Financing and Loan Projects

The Greenville Housing Fund will provide financing for projects that support the following:

  1. Acquisition; demolition and removal; professional and technical services, e.g., engineering, surveys; site preparation; and other predevelopment costs essential to project implementation.
  2. Construction financing for rental and for-sale housing (to include affordable, workforce and/or a mix of such and market housing).
  3. Substantial rehabilitation of substandard housing units occupied or to be occupied by low and moderate income households; conversion of non-residential space to residential purposes.
  4. Moderate rehabilitation of owner-occupied houses to abate health code and safety code violations and any other work directly related to the required activities, including painting and finishing.
  5. Land Acquisition for banking or development.
  6. Down payments and other types of assistance that will enable eligible households to purchase affordable housing.
  7. Provision of tenant-based and/or project-based rental assistance.

Greenville Housing Fund Loans

GHF will distribute financing as a loan, the terms of which will be determined by project need and feasibility.

Types of loans include but are not limited to:

  • Construction loans to affordable/workforce housing developers or sponsors to be repaid at permanent loan closing.
  • Construction loans to affordable/workforce housing developers or sponsors to be converted into permanent loans.
  • Construction loans to affordable/workforce housing developers or sponsors that are prorated and rolled over to eligible purchasers upon occupancy.
  • Loans to eligible housing developments to lower the purchase price of a primary residence.
  • Predevelopment loans to affordable/workforce housing developers or sponsors to expedite the production of affordable housing projects.
  • Bridge loans for affordable/workforce housing projects in which permanent financing or grants have been committed but not disbursed.

GHF will secure its funds with a mortgage and promissory note payable to GHF and filed at the county office of record.

  • The borrower will assume the cost of recording the mortgage.
  • GHF will subordinate its mortgage to the lien of a permanent lender or lenders provided that the borrower provides evidence to the satisfaction of GHF that:
    • The subordination does not jeopardize project feasibility and the subordination is necessary.
SEE THE AFFORDABILITY CONTROLS SECTION FOR DETAILS

Funding Priorities

Projects that fulfill one or more of these priorities will be most competitive for funds. If two or more projects are highly rated by the committee, projects that are ready to proceed with construction (all funding committed, environmental review satisfactory; zoning compliance, permits acquired) will take priority over projects that have a longer time frame.

  1. Provide housing for households with very low incomes of median (Quintile 1).
  2. Houses a population under-served by the private market such as:
    • Large households
    • Households with incomes below 30 percent of median
    • Handicapped population
  3. Proposes long-term affordability beyond the required minimum.
  4. Promotes efficient land use through infill in existing neighborhoods, reuse of abandoned buildings and/or rehabilitation of dilapidated, substandard structures.
  5. Incorporates features that minimize the impact on the environment and enhance the health and safety of the residents such as:
    • Energy efficient
    • Properly sized heating/cooling equipment
    • High-efficiency windows
    • Buildings sited to take advantage of solar orientation
    • Use of recycled materials
    • Non-toxic finishes
  6. Commits funds to provide support services and programs that are appropriate for and accessible to residents, e.g. day care facilities, tutoring and after-school programs.
  7. Serves a mixed-income population (market rate and affordable units). A higher percentage of affordable units within a market rate development is a priority.
  8. Aligns with Greenville’s Transportation plan goals.

Available Funding Options

GHF funding helps to develop, rehabilitate and preserve affordable housing opportunities. GHF currently offers two funding opportunities for developers:

Acquisition, Gap and Bridge Financing:

GHF finances the production and preservation of new affordable and workforce housing units, both for-sale and rental, through new construction, substantial rehabilitation of vacant units, or conversion of non-residential buildings to residential use.

Who Can Apply

GHF will provide project-specific loans to nonprofit and for-profit developers and government entities up to $500,000 to construct new units or rehabilitate vacant housing units for sale or rent to low and moderate income households.

Funds Can Be Used For:

  • Land acquisition/improvements
  • Construction loans
  • Pre-development expenses
  • Bridge loans
  • Lines of credit
  • Permanent financing

Additional Resources:

APPLICATION (Word Document)

Homeowner Preservation Program

GHF’s Homeowner Preservation Program (HOPP) is designed to assist low- and moderate-income homeowners in making repairs to their owner‐occupied homes. The goal is to preserve affordable homeownership for existing residents and ensure their health and safety. The purpose of the activity is to correct life, health and safety issues, provide accessibility for disabled persons, repair or replace major housing systems, and address structural problems.

Who Can Apply

GHF will provide grants up to $25,000 to nonprofit and government entities that provide rehabilitation services to existing homeowners in target neighborhoods whose household incomes are primarily at or below 80% of Area Median Income and below.

Sponsors are encouraged to use other funding sources in conjunction with GHF and must provide a commitment letter of other funding at the time of application, if additional funds are required and applicable.

Funds Can Be Used For:

Eligible GHF HOPP Repairs
The following are repairs that can be made through the GHF HOPP program:

  • Roofs
  • HVAC
  • Exterior Doors and Windows
  • Handicap Accessibility
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical
  • Structural
  • Floors
  • Porches
  • Exterior Surfaces
  • Interior Surfaces

Additional Resources:

APPLICATION (PDF)

Land Banking Program

The purpose of the Greenville Housing Fund’s Land Bank Program (GHFLB) is to create vibrant communities through the creation of affordable housing opportunities, stabilization of property values, and the elimination of blighted properties. The Land Bank will acquire real property through donations, tax sales, and real estate transactions to support the production and preservation of affordable housing and neighborhood stabilization.

Target Areas:

The GHF Land Bank Program serves several target neighborhoods in both the City of Greenville and Greater Greenville County. Those priority target areas include, but are not limited to Judson/Dunean, Nicholtown, Pleasant Valley, Poinsett/Rutherford, West Greenville (West Side, West End, Southernside), and White Horse Road (see maps).

These neighborhoods have a surplus of blighted and vacant properties poised for redevelopment and are strategic areas for the preservation and production of affordable housing. Priority neighborhoods do not preclude GHF from acquiring properties outside these areas. GHF seeks to acquire and dispose of said properties as part of a larger redevelopment and affordable housing strategy.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications for funding will be accepted as part of a funding cycle unless otherwise noted. GHF will host a pre-application workshop, mandatory for developers,  and a Letter of Intent (LOI) will be requested for initial evaluation of readiness.

After the LOI has been reviewed and accepted, applicants will:

  • Submit a full application.
  • Complete a site visit and interview with the GHF application review committee.
  • Be evaluated based on approved policies by GHF representatives in conjunction with the CommunityWorks Loan Committee.
  • Funding recommendations are made to the GHF Board and final approval for funding awards are announced.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS

Additional Resources

GHF TERM SHEET
APPLICATION COVER PAGES
LOAN APPLICATION (PDF)
LOAN APPLICATION (WORD DOC)

Submit Your Letter of Intent

Take the first step in alleviating the affordable housing crisis in Greenville.
SUBMIT YOUR LETTER OF INTENT