TGHA to transform how affordable housing works with new Moving to Work program

GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Housing Authority is launching a program that will write the next chapter in their affordable housing programs in our community.

The Greenville Housing Authority (TGHA) announced it had received final approval from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to create a Moving to Work (MTW) program. This is a federal demonstration program that gives the TGHA more flexibility to design and test innovative strategies for providing housing assistance. 

“The goal is to promote self-sufficiency among low-income families, reduce administrative costs, and increase housing choices,” said Denise Cleveland-Leggett, a Regional HUD Director.

The TGHA used private funds to test an MTW program for the past nine months.  HUD does not provide additional funding for the program, rather it permits flexibilities in the funding allocated to the housing choice voucher program.  HUD also provides an opportunity for the housing authority to submit regulatory waivers.  

Under the new TGHA MTW program, the focus will be on preparing participants for opportunities through education and employment opportunities for those receiving assistance from the housing agency, said Terril Bates, the TGHA’s Chief Executive Officer. The goal is to help people to increase their household earnings so that they are ultimately comfortably able to compete in the rental market. 

This creates a two-outcome effect of helping to reduce the massive backlog of people seeking housing assistance by empowering eligible participants to graduate from the housing choice voucher rental assistance program.  There are currently 1,700 households in TGHA’s housing choice voucher program that will be required to participate in the mandatory MTW program. Participant names will be placed in a randomizer to determine who is contacted in what order.  The elderly and disabled are exempt from  participation.

The MTW Program creates four paths for people to enter with participants earning financial incentives along the way:

• Path 1—Permits up to four years of limited commitment to self-sufficiency with continual coaching toward program graduation to include participation in financial management courses.  

• Path 2 – Up to six years, while participants are engaged in continued education from GED to Advanced Degrees. Escrow accounts are created at a pre-employment stage. Increases in earned income are deposited into an escrow account as the participant becomes responsible for a greater portion of their rent payments to a private landlord. 

• Path 3 – Up to seven years, there is a focus on first-time employment, employment retention, and establishing savings accounts.

• Path 4 – Up to 10 years of rental assistance with engagement in preparation for homeownership. The goal is for participants to be able to purchase a home during their participation in the program with the support of the voucher. 

“MTW creates a path to independence,” Bates said. “It doesn’t eliminate affordable housing needs, but it creates opportunities for people to succeed in life. This ultimately leads to a stronger and better Greenville.”

More than 140 public housing agencies nationwide have been accepted into the MTW program. One of the more successful ones that has implemented a job training/career assistance program similar to what Greenville is striving for is the housing authority in San Diego.

Thousands of families have participated in rent reform and self-sufficiency programs via its Achievement Academy.

“For the City of Greenville, we want to see this kind of success replicated,” Brandon Madden, Deputy Manager for the City of Greenville. “Everyone should have a safe, stable, affordable place to live.”

County Councilman Alan Mitchell said by granting flexibility in federal housing vouchers and affordable housing programs, MTW enables agencies such as TGHA to create local solutions.

“Over its more than two-decade existence, MTW agencies have consistently implemented successful initiatives that meet the needs of their communities while expanding opportunities for households,” he said.

A key aspect of the MTW program is TGHA will be working with community partners such as USC Upstate, the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, Greenville Literacy Association, Goodwill Industries of the Upstate/Midlands South Carolina, Able SC, and SC Works.  Hollingsworth Funds has provided initial support during the program’s start.

“This day is all about rethinking how Greenville looks at affordable housing,” said Gage Weekes, President and CEO of Hollingsworth Funds. “MTW stands to have a real impact on helping people get ahead and make their best life here in Greenville.”

About TGHA:

The Greenville Housing Authority administers federal funds and provides vouchers for 3,000 households which serve nearly 9,000 members including the elderly, disabled, veterans and children. TGHA issues payments of $30 million to private property owners annually. It plans, undertakes, finances, constructs and operates affordable housing projects and programs in the city of Greenville and Greenville County. Learn more at tgha.net.