How communities and individuals are affected by housing challenges
Housing in Greenville County is a complex issue with many challenges and few simple solutions. The two goals of providing affordable housing and protecting foundational communities seem to be, in some ways, colliding.
In a recent conversation with Dot Russell, president of the Sterling Neighborhood Association, we viewed a video the organization created with communities talking about their memories of growing up in Sterling, and their concerns today. Some talked about being “harassed” by developers; some about the changing character of the community as older homes are demolished and replaced by apartments or large modern homes. Dot pointed out that residents moving in to the community today, don’t view themselves as part of Sterling but rather describe themselves as living in the West End.
This struggle for the communities at the heart of Greenville’s history is also tied up with the effort to provide housing for our growing work force, and affordable housing for residents with fewer resources.
Our featured speaker in May, Tiffany Santagati, is a key player in the efforts to address these issues. As vice president of operations for the Greenville Housing Fund, Tiffany oversees the management of 1,550 housing units. She also “engages in programs that will help enhance the affordable housing ecosystem and the residents’ well being.”
Tiffany’s diverse career began in banking and included positions in lending, mortgages, and human resources. But she has also lent her skills in communications as well as finance, coupled with her passion about building and supporting communities through diversity, equity and inclusion to a number of community organizations. She holds board positions with seven organizations “focused on equity building, belonging, dignity, and ending violence and child abuse.”
The dual issues of accessible housing and gentrification are two of the Upstate’s biggest issues. Tiffany will talk about the status of affordable housing and the strategies being put into play or under consideration to address the shortage while preserving Greenville’s history and not driving African-Americans from their communities.
Bring your mentor/mentee to the meeting
The May meeting is also where we will celebrate mothers and mentors. Mentorship among women is crucial whether it’s your mom, an aunt, a co-worker, or colleague. It is key in helping women raise up in the ranks at work, and in encouraging and developing women to run for office. For this meeting, bring your mentor or someone you’ve mentored with you. DWGC board member Dr. Valerie Brooks Madden will speak on the importance of women mentoring women. Dr. Brooks wrote her doctoral dissertation on mentorship. Photos of mentors/mentees will be taken between 11:30 and noon. So please come just a little early.
The meeting is noon on Monday, May 13 at the Kroc Center, 424 Westfield Ave., Greenville. If you can’t join us in person, there is a Zoom virtual event available.