Greenville Leader

Greenville Housing Authority (TGHA) is implementing new incentives in its Housing Choice Voucher Program to foster better relationships with landlords and provide more affordable housing options. Terril Bates, interim CEO for the Greenville Housing Authority, emphasized the importance of these incentives, stating, “Our focus is on improving and understanding the relationships with landlords, with the end goal of increasing the number of landlords that want to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program.”

TGHA currently serves over 3,000 individuals through the program, which acts as a bridge between affordable and private rent. With 308 households on the voucher waitlist, Bates highlighted the organization's efforts to support landlords in mitigating risks, stating, “We’re looking for ways to cushion or mitigate risk for landlords and to allow them to be more comfortable in making a decision to assist one of the 308 households that we have out looking for housing now.”

In 2023, more than $25 million was disbursed to private landlords through the Housing Choice Voucher program, reflecting the significant impact of these initiatives. Racquel Collier, GHA Board Chair, noted the organization's efforts to streamline processes and introduce new incentives to support landlords. Collier stated, “We have new leadership who has established new incentives like vacancy loss, or being able to help landlords get additional payments where they normally wouldn't have.”

Through these initiatives and incentives, TGHA aims to enhance landlord participation in the Housing Choice Voucher Program, ultimately expanding access to affordable housing for individuals and families in need.