The Community Foundation’s housing efforts are focused on convening, grantmaking, and advocacy. In partnership with the City of Greensboro and other key stakeholders, our goal is to leverage resources for maximum impact.
The Greensboro Housing Loan Fund, a public-private partnership for attainable housing, is officially in business. The targeted $32.5 million loan program, for which $21 million has been raised to date, is aimed at for-profit and nonprofit developers of local multifamily structures. The program’s goal is to increase the inventory of attainable housing in Greensboro through new development and repair and rehabilitation of existing housing.
Making affordable housing a priority for our community.
Our housing initiative is a shared effort between the City of Greensboro and the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro. Initiative funds are used to commission research on the state of housing in Greensboro as well as the effects of affordable housing. These efforts help shape a shared vision for successful, sustainable, and affordable housing for all residents.
Why is this initiative important to our community?
More than a third of Greensboro households are considered “housing cost burdened,” meaning they pay more than 30% of their income for housing. This has a detrimental ripple effect across all members of the household.
Affordable housing options are necessary for the vitality of our community and its future. Several studies show that stable, healthy, and affordable housing improves residents’ health and lowers health costs. A Center for Outcomes Research and Education report showed a 12% decrease in Medicaid costs for families in affordable housing. Studies also show that stable, healthy, and affordable housing can improve children’s academic performance.
What’s more, the National Association of Home Builders estimates that each 100 units of affordable housing development generates 152 jobs, more than $800,000 in one-time local tax and fee revenue, and local wage and business earnings of $2 million annually.
Investing in affordable housing options can meet the pressing needs of Greensboro’s residents, while also achieving the added benefits of contributing to the area’s economy, increasing positive health and academic outcomes, and creating a more sustainable community.
What is our goal with this initiative?
The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro envisions a future where everyone in our community lives in safe, affordable housing. Our housing initiative seeks to address Greensboro’s housing affordability gap through collective community action that:
1. Improves quality and increases the quantity of affordable housing
2. Equips people to better afford and access housing
3. Creates a culture of collaboration to support long-term solutions for affordable housing
4. Commits to sustainable, long-term resources for affordable housing
Housing Partnerships and Funds
The housing funds at the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro serve as a vital resource to address housing challenges within our community, ensuring safe and affordable housing for all residents. These funds not only support housing initiatives but also drive innovative solutions and partnerships aimed at creating sustainable, inclusive neighborhoods that enhance the overall quality of life in Greensboro.
Emergency Tenant Assistance Program (ETAP)
ETAP helps families and individuals stabilize their lives by accessing safe, healthy, affordable housing. This program operates as a partnership between the Greensboro Housing Coalition (GHC), the Community Foundation, and the City of Greensboro. Clients are counseled and screened for eligibility by GHC, and if their situations warrant assistance with rent and utility deposits, GHC recommends financial support.
ETAP is supported by a companion fund at the Community Foundation. Since 2013, the fund has invested nearly $500,000 in the community, helping families in times of substandard living conditions, financial need, and/or natural disasters. The ETAP fund receives contributions from donors throughout our community, including individuals, families, businesses, civic groups, foundations, and the City of Greensboro. Gifts of any size are welcomed to this fund.
Make a DonationAffordable Housing Fund
This fund was created with support from the Ford Foundation, the Community Foundation, and matching donors to provide grantmaking and revolving support for collaborative affordable housing projects generally involving nonprofits, governmental agencies, builders, and others.
Make a DonationAffordable Housing Management (AHM) Resident Education and Enrichment Fund
In partnership with the Community Foundation, this program assists residents living in AHM apartment communities with up to $1,000 per household for education to enhance their employability. AHM staff collaborated with Community Foundation staff to develop the program, program guidelines, and a streamlined application process. Since the program’s launch in 2013, over $54,000 has been granted to support over 60 individuals, many of whom secured employment as a result of the program.
Make a DonationKavanagh Housing Fund
Established by Roger Kavanagh, this fund is used on a permanent, revolving basis for affordable housing with an emphasis on involving for-profit building contractors to leverage public/private partnerships.
Make a DonationCommunity Housing Solutions (CHS) Home Rehab and Repair Program
The Community Foundation partners with Self-Help Credit Union and CHS to place funds on deposit at Self-Help Credit Union. This provides CHS with the ability to secure a line of credit that is used to purchase and rehab homes. CHS acquires vacant, abandoned, or foreclosed properties to rehab and resell back to qualified low-income homeowners. CHS has acquired over 30 homes since 2007, investing nearly $3 million in the Greater Greensboro community.
Visit the CHS Website
“An adequate supply of safe and affordable housing is not just an indicator of a community's health, but a primary driver of the shared economic and health outcomes for us all. We must remember that we live in communities, and in communities, the fate of both high- and low-income people are intertwined. Everyone deserves access to a safe place to live that they can afford.”
— Brett Byerly, Former Executive Director, Greensboro Housing Coalition
Ways you can support our housing initiative
Donate online
Make a one-time donation online of any amount.
Donate to General Housing Support Donate to Emergency Tenant Assistance Fund
Donate via check
A check made out to “Housing” can be sent by mail to the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro at:
CFGG
301 North Elm St., Suite 100
Greensboro, NC 27401
Stocks and other gifts
Gifts of stocks, securities, real estate, IRA distributions, or life insurance are accepted to support the Housing initiative. Stock gifts should be emailed to the Community Foundation and initiated through your broker. Please include details of stock name, number of shares, and which fund to credit.
Contact Us
Legacy gifts
A bequest is a flexible and impactful way to give to our Housing initiative for generations to come. Changes can be made due to personal circumstances at any time.
For More Information, Visit Leave a Legacy
“An adequate supply of safe and affordable housing is not just an indicator of a community's health, but a primary driver of the shared economic and health outcomes for us all. We must remember that we live in communities, and in communities, the fate of both high- and low-income people are intertwined. Everyone deserves access to a safe place to live that they can afford.”
— Brett Byerly, Former Executive Director, Greensboro Housing Coalition