[Music] I want to begin by talking to you about
I want to begin by talking to you about
I want to begin by talking to you about the issue of housing affordability and
the issue of housing affordability and
the issue of housing affordability and we’re going to ask a few questions to
we’re going to ask a few questions to
we’re going to ask a few questions to start us off if you will raise your hand
start us off if you will raise your hand
start us off if you will raise your hand if you rent your home okay we’ve got a
if you rent your home okay we’ve got a
if you rent your home okay we’ve got a few and now raise your hand if you own
few and now raise your hand if you own
few and now raise your hand if you own your home and keep those hands raised if
your home and keep those hands raised if
your home and keep those hands raised if you view this home as an investment all
you view this home as an investment all
you view this home as an investment all right well that is a common answer we
right well that is a common answer we
right well that is a common answer we will be touching on tonight we are also
will be touching on tonight we are also
will be touching on tonight we are also going to be looking at housing
going to be looking at housing
going to be looking at housing affordability how I came to personally
affordability how I came to personally
affordability how I came to personally understand it and a bit about where we
understand it and a bit about where we
understand it and a bit about where we are today as a city I want to offer you
are today as a city I want to offer you
are today as a city I want to offer you something you can leave with tonight a
something you can leave with tonight a
something you can leave with tonight a way that you can help green will take
way that you can help green will take
way that you can help green will take its next big step forward and I want you
its next big step forward and I want you
its next big step forward and I want you to leave and ask why why does where you
to leave and ask why why does where you
to leave and ask why why does where you live affect you as well as your broader
live affect you as well as your broader
live affect you as well as your broader community and why our homes and economic
community and why our homes and economic
community and why our homes and economic and a moral imperative and what does
and a moral imperative and what does
and a moral imperative and what does that have to do with views from rooftop
that have to do with views from rooftop
that have to do with views from rooftop Bars as well as the views from those and
Bars as well as the views from those and
Bars as well as the views from those and also those who work there and how can we
also those who work there and how can we
also those who work there and how can we move as a community to say yes in my
move as a community to say yes in my
move as a community to say yes in my backyard
backyard
backyard well last fall 87 percent took a survey
well last fall 87 percent took a survey
well last fall 87 percent took a survey and agreed that Greenville has a housing
and agreed that Greenville has a housing
and agreed that Greenville has a housing at 40 affordability issue 81% said that
at 40 affordability issue 81% said that
at 40 affordability issue 81% said that is getting worse in our city I joined
is getting worse in our city I joined
is getting worse in our city I joined the affordable housing steering
the affordable housing steering
the affordable housing steering committee thinking I already understood
committee thinking I already understood
committee thinking I already understood the problem but I had to ask myself did
the problem but I had to ask myself did
the problem but I had to ask myself did I because it’s very complex and
I because it’s very complex and
I because it’s very complex and complicated there are as Russell
complicated there are as Russell
complicated there are as Russell mentioned these interconnected dynamics
mentioned these interconnected dynamics
mentioned these interconnected dynamics of race and class and wealth and crime
of race and class and wealth and crime
of race and class and wealth and crime and poverty
and poverty
and poverty an often that becomes extremely
an often that becomes extremely
an often that becomes extremely difficult to discuss when it’s viewed in
difficult to discuss when it’s viewed in
difficult to discuss when it’s viewed in relationship to something we know might
relationship to something we know might
relationship to something we know might be our largest investment so let’s begin
be our largest investment so let’s begin
be our largest investment so let’s begin tonight by looking at what stood out on
tonight by looking at what stood out on
tonight by looking at what stood out on our city when our consultant analyzed it
our city when our consultant analyzed it
our city when our consultant analyzed it what stood out is that to the aspects
what stood out is that to the aspects
what stood out is that to the aspects the first is our rents
the first is our rents
the first is our rents for our low-cost units have risen
for our low-cost units have risen
for our low-cost units have risen dramatically over the last 15 years in
dramatically over the last 15 years in
dramatically over the last 15 years in relationship to incomes today we face a
relationship to incomes today we face a
relationship to incomes today we face a gap of 2500 units now as a city that are
gap of 2500 units now as a city that are
gap of 2500 units now as a city that are affordable and that means that these are
affordable and that means that these are
affordable and that means that these are for people earning $20,000 or less in
for people earning $20,000 or less in
for people earning $20,000 or less in our city and as recently as 10 years ago
our city and as recently as 10 years ago
our city and as recently as 10 years ago we had a surplus of some 800 units that
we had a surplus of some 800 units that
we had a surplus of some 800 units that were affordable to low-income workers
were affordable to low-income workers
were affordable to low-income workers the second aspect is that our units in
the second aspect is that our units in
the second aspect is that our units in Greenville are geographically
Greenville are geographically
Greenville are geographically concentrated and that means generally
concentrated and that means generally
concentrated and that means generally these are not located near jobs we will
these are not located near jobs we will
these are not located near jobs we will be touching on this point later so we’ll
be touching on this point later so we’ll
be touching on this point later so we’ll be coming back to that when we talk
be coming back to that when we talk
be coming back to that when we talk about our special emphasis neighborhoods
about our special emphasis neighborhoods
about our special emphasis neighborhoods now when you drive around we do see a
now when you drive around we do see a
now when you drive around we do see a lot of development in Greenville there
lot of development in Greenville there
lot of development in Greenville there have been around 5,000 new units come on
have been around 5,000 new units come on
have been around 5,000 new units come on to our market in the city majority of
to our market in the city majority of
to our market in the city majority of those are upper to high-end so what I
those are upper to high-end so what I
those are upper to high-end so what I came to understand is that our new
came to understand is that our new
came to understand is that our new economy has made us very top-heavy but
economy has made us very top-heavy but
economy has made us very top-heavy but also very bottom heavy and this gap is
also very bottom heavy and this gap is
also very bottom heavy and this gap is widening and I did not like hearing it
widening and I did not like hearing it
widening and I did not like hearing it was going to take us 20 years to solve
was going to take us 20 years to solve
was going to take us 20 years to solve this problem and then it would cost 220
this problem and then it would cost 220
this problem and then it would cost 220 million dollars if we had the money
million dollars if we had the money
million dollars if we had the money today so Greenville has done a lot we’ve
today so Greenville has done a lot we’ve
today so Greenville has done a lot we’ve done so much so well as a city I moved
done so much so well as a city I moved
done so much so well as a city I moved here in 1992 I was a graduate in NC
here in 1992 I was a graduate in NC
here in 1992 I was a graduate in NC State at the time and it was when I was
State at the time and it was when I was
State at the time and it was when I was at an NC State a great time to watch
at an NC State a great time to watch
at an NC State a great time to watch basketball and like this season it was
basketball and like this season it was
basketball and like this season it was still the jimmy view years and I came to
still the jimmy view years and I came to
still the jimmy view years and I came to Greenville and over time I really have
Greenville and over time I really have
Greenville and over time I really have come to appreciate that cheering for
come to appreciate that cheering for
come to appreciate that cheering for Clemson football can be fun as well
Clemson football can be fun as well
Clemson football can be fun as well so in 1992 I looked at a condo downtown
so in 1992 I looked at a condo downtown
so in 1992 I looked at a condo downtown and it was too expensive for my income
and it was too expensive for my income
and it was too expensive for my income so I ended up renting an apartment off
so I ended up renting an apartment off
so I ended up renting an apartment off of East North Street and I picked this
of East North Street and I picked this
of East North Street and I picked this particular one because my employer who I
particular one because my employer who I
particular one because my employer who I was coming to work for that apartment
was coming to work for that apartment
was coming to work for that apartment complex offered me a discount and I
complex offered me a discount and I
complex offered me a discount and I thought that was pretty great because I
thought that was pretty great because I
thought that was pretty great because I had some new things like a car payment
had some new things like a car payment
had some new things like a car payment and I was also living on my own for the
and I was also living on my own for the
and I was also living on my own for the first time so when we think about the
first time so when we think about the
first time so when we think about the issue of housing affordability it is
issue of housing affordability it is
issue of housing affordability it is people it is housing that is affordable
people it is housing that is affordable
people it is housing that is affordable no matter who we are talking about and
no matter who we are talking about and
no matter who we are talking about and to be affordable that means you’re
to be affordable that means you’re
to be affordable that means you’re paying 30% of your gross monthly income
paying 30% of your gross monthly income
paying 30% of your gross monthly income anything above that means it’s difficult
anything above that means it’s difficult
anything above that means it’s difficult for a family to pay for things like
for a family to pay for things like
for a family to pay for things like transportation quality childcare
transportation quality childcare
transportation quality childcare nutritious food good health care or even
nutritious food good health care or even
nutritious food good health care or even medicine now Matthew Desmond tells us in
medicine now Matthew Desmond tells us in
medicine now Matthew Desmond tells us in his book that’s called evicted poverty
his book that’s called evicted poverty
his book that’s called evicted poverty and profit in the American city and he
and profit in the American city and he
and profit in the American city and he will be in Greenville on April the 20th
will be in Greenville on April the 20th
will be in Greenville on April the 20th that we have 11 million people in our
that we have 11 million people in our
that we have 11 million people in our city now who are incredibly rent
city now who are incredibly rent
city now who are incredibly rent burdened and that means often they are
burdened and that means often they are
burdened and that means often they are paying up to 70% of their income to have
paying up to 70% of their income to have
paying up to 70% of their income to have somewhere to live in Greenville we have
somewhere to live in Greenville we have
somewhere to live in Greenville we have increasing rates of child homelessness
increasing rates of child homelessness
increasing rates of child homelessness just last year we had 802 children
just last year we had 802 children
just last year we had 802 children reported in our Greenville County
reported in our Greenville County
reported in our Greenville County Schools and when you put a face with
Schools and when you put a face with
Schools and when you put a face with that child and you realize that is a
that child and you realize that is a
that child and you realize that is a family from your neighborhood school I
family from your neighborhood school I
family from your neighborhood school I just have to ask myself how can this
just have to ask myself how can this
just have to ask myself how can this happen in Greenville and this is a
happen in Greenville and this is a
happen in Greenville and this is a family who attends Stone Academy and
family who attends Stone Academy and
family who attends Stone Academy and they were featured in an exhibit
they were featured in an exhibit
they were featured in an exhibit downtown called through the eyes of the
downtown called through the eyes of the
downtown called through the eyes of the homeless Desmond goes on to tell us that
homeless Desmond goes on to tell us that
homeless Desmond goes on to tell us that millions now are evicted in our country
millions now are evicted in our country
millions now are evicted in our country each year and the majority of those are
each year and the majority of those are
each year and the majority of those are mothers with children and in Greenville
mothers with children and in Greenville
mothers with children and in Greenville County we have over 38,000 students who
County we have over 38,000 students who
County we have over 38,000 students who are Medicaid eligible this year so we
are Medicaid eligible this year so we
are Medicaid eligible this year so we know we are bottom-heavy
know we are bottom-heavy
know we are bottom-heavy but yet we drive around and we see
but yet we drive around and we see
but yet we drive around and we see luxury development and so Greenville has
luxury development and so Greenville has
luxury development and so Greenville has very successfully shifted itself and
very successfully shifted itself and
very successfully shifted itself and that is why the consultant from
that is why the consultant from
that is why the consultant from Alexandria Virginia said to City Council
Alexandria Virginia said to City Council
Alexandria Virginia said to City Council any urban planner would have jumped at
any urban planner would have jumped at
any urban planner would have jumped at the chance to work on Greenville we have
the chance to work on Greenville we have
the chance to work on Greenville we have made great investments in our quality of
made great investments in our quality of
made great investments in our quality of life amenities we value our beautiful
life amenities we value our beautiful
life amenities we value our beautiful parks and we’re very proud of our clean
parks and we’re very proud of our clean
parks and we’re very proud of our clean drinking water we also have shifted our
drinking water we also have shifted our
drinking water we also have shifted our economy to now from a pre depression
economy to now from a pre depression
economy to now from a pre depression textile centered economy to one today
textile centered economy to one today
textile centered economy to one today based on knowledge advanced
based on knowledge advanced
based on knowledge advanced manufacturing and services when we think
manufacturing and services when we think
manufacturing and services when we think about
about
about about the significant challenges that we
about the significant challenges that we
about the significant challenges that we face we know we can solve this as a city
face we know we can solve this as a city
face we know we can solve this as a city because we have solved difficult
because we have solved difficult
because we have solved difficult problems before all right there is an
problems before all right there is an
problems before all right there is an African proverb that says if you want to
African proverb that says if you want to
African proverb that says if you want to go faster go alone but if you want to go
go faster go alone but if you want to go
go faster go alone but if you want to go further go together and that represents
further go together and that represents
further go together and that represents what Russell mentioned we had a very
what Russell mentioned we had a very
what Russell mentioned we had a very historic vote taken on January the 9th
historic vote taken on January the 9th
historic vote taken on January the 9th and our City Council approved setting
and our City Council approved setting
and our City Council approved setting aside 2 million dollars of local dollars
aside 2 million dollars of local dollars
aside 2 million dollars of local dollars to go into housing and that is combining
to go into housing and that is combining
to go into housing and that is combining with a million coming forward from the
with a million coming forward from the
with a million coming forward from the community my church has stepped forward
community my church has stepped forward
community my church has stepped forward with a one hundred thousand dollar gift
with a one hundred thousand dollar gift
with a one hundred thousand dollar gift towards this 1 million we’ve also had a
towards this 1 million we’ve also had a
towards this 1 million we’ve also had a Sunday school class from Buncombe Street
Sunday school class from Buncombe Street
Sunday school class from Buncombe Street since January night to come forward with
since January night to come forward with
since January night to come forward with the donation this is being combined into
the donation this is being combined into
the donation this is being combined into a new entity a public-private
a new entity a public-private
a new entity a public-private partnership a new way for Greenville to
partnership a new way for Greenville to
partnership a new way for Greenville to address housing and it will be a housing
address housing and it will be a housing
address housing and it will be a housing trust fund city council also approved
trust fund city council also approved
trust fund city council also approved the recommendations in the steering
the recommendations in the steering
the recommendations in the steering committee report and this three million
committee report and this three million
committee report and this three million will be split and immediately address
will be split and immediately address
will be split and immediately address rent subsidies as we know we are losing
rent subsidies as we know we are losing
rent subsidies as we know we are losing about 200 units each year off of our
about 200 units each year off of our
about 200 units each year off of our market that are affordable the other
market that are affordable the other
market that are affordable the other portion of that will help keep people in
portion of that will help keep people in
portion of that will help keep people in their existing home with rehabilitation
their existing home with rehabilitation
their existing home with rehabilitation funds and then a million and a half will
funds and then a million and a half will
funds and then a million and a half will be used to purchase land as land is an
be used to purchase land as land is an
be used to purchase land as land is an essential part and piece of the housing
essential part and piece of the housing
essential part and piece of the housing equation so we can go further together
equation so we can go further together
equation so we can go further together and this is connected to our future as a
and this is connected to our future as a
and this is connected to our future as a city and if we fail to ask the question
city and if we fail to ask the question
city and if we fail to ask the question why does where you live affect you we
why does where you live affect you we
why does where you live affect you we will also eventually see that we are
will also eventually see that we are
will also eventually see that we are suffering and failing as a city business
suffering and failing as a city business
suffering and failing as a city business expansion and service will suffer in it
expansion and service will suffer in it
expansion and service will suffer in it we can’t simply say to someone just move
we can’t simply say to someone just move
we can’t simply say to someone just move because you can’t afford to live here
because you can’t afford to live here
because you can’t afford to live here that will cause us to fail both
that will cause us to fail both
that will cause us to fail both economically and morally so when we
economically and morally so when we
economically and morally so when we think about creating new housing we know
think about creating new housing we know
think about creating new housing we know we need to shift our settlement patterns
we need to shift our settlement patterns
we need to shift our settlement patterns and I’ll leave it on that one up I’ve
and I’ll leave it on that one up I’ve
and I’ll leave it on that one up I’ve recently was given a study by Ansel
recently was given a study by Ansel
recently was given a study by Ansel Sanders and it details a county in
Sanders and it details a county in
Sanders and it details a county in Montgomery County Maryland who is one of
Montgomery County Maryland who is one of
Montgomery County Maryland who is one of the oldest and larger
the oldest and larger
the oldest and larger programs in our country that has
programs in our country that has
programs in our country that has inclusionary zoning and they’ve been
inclusionary zoning and they’ve been
inclusionary zoning and they’ve been doing this since the 1950s and they have
doing this since the 1950s and they have
doing this since the 1950s and they have a very successful model that shows why
a very successful model that shows why
a very successful model that shows why this works and how it promotes a healthy
this works and how it promotes a healthy
this works and how it promotes a healthy City with academic success and students
City with academic success and students
City with academic success and students and we can look at any city in our
and we can look at any city in our
and we can look at any city in our country and know that residential
country and know that residential
country and know that residential patterns are closely tied to school
patterns are closely tied to school
patterns are closely tied to school enrollment patterns so I wanted to share
enrollment patterns so I wanted to share
enrollment patterns so I wanted to share a story about someone I loved dearly
a story about someone I loved dearly
a story about someone I loved dearly named shakeela and she lives now in the
named shakeela and she lives now in the
named shakeela and she lives now in the Green Line Spartanburg neighborhood
Green Line Spartanburg neighborhood
Green Line Spartanburg neighborhood which is in the dark green at the top
which is in the dark green at the top
which is in the dark green at the top this is one of our 13 special emphasis
this is one of our 13 special emphasis
this is one of our 13 special emphasis neighborhoods in Greenville and special
neighborhoods in Greenville and special
neighborhoods in Greenville and special emphasis neighborhoods are defined as
emphasis neighborhoods are defined as
emphasis neighborhoods are defined as people living there who are in low to
people living there who are in low to
people living there who are in low to moderate income and when shakila’s
moderate income and when shakila’s
moderate income and when shakila’s neighborhood was built it was in the 20s
neighborhood was built it was in the 20s
neighborhood was built it was in the 20s and it was segregated housing that was
and it was segregated housing that was
and it was segregated housing that was built at that time so if you were black
built at that time so if you were black
built at that time so if you were black and wanted to own or rent a home you
and wanted to own or rent a home you
and wanted to own or rent a home you could find one here and many families
could find one here and many families
could find one here and many families were working for families nearby who
were working for families nearby who
were working for families nearby who lived in the Overbrook community well
lived in the Overbrook community well
lived in the Overbrook community well fast-forward to 1965 and title one
fast-forward to 1965 and title one
fast-forward to 1965 and title one schools were created due to federal
schools were created due to federal
schools were created due to federal legislation which was followed then in
legislation which was followed then in
legislation which was followed then in 1968 by a Fair Housing Act fast forward
1968 by a Fair Housing Act fast forward
1968 by a Fair Housing Act fast forward to today and East North Street which is
to today and East North Street which is
to today and East North Street which is her neighborhood school continues to be
her neighborhood school continues to be
her neighborhood school continues to be a title one school this is a view from
a title one school this is a view from
a title one school this is a view from looking up from where her house is up
looking up from where her house is up
looking up from where her house is up the street and we can see that having a
the street and we can see that having a
the street and we can see that having a policy like Montgomery could really be
policy like Montgomery could really be
policy like Montgomery could really be beneficial to Greenville now that we
beneficial to Greenville now that we
beneficial to Greenville now that we know what our challenges are so I wanted
know what our challenges are so I wanted
know what our challenges are so I wanted to point out the aspects that stood out
to point out the aspects that stood out
to point out the aspects that stood out in in that County and the first is that
in in that County and the first is that
in in that County and the first is that by having students in poverty spread
by having students in poverty spread
by having students in poverty spread among the vast who are not in poverty
among the vast who are not in poverty
among the vast who are not in poverty they have achieved achieved academic
they have achieved achieved academic
they have achieved achieved academic success and they have nine out of ten
success and they have nine out of ten
success and they have nine out of ten students graduating one of the best
students graduating one of the best
students graduating one of the best rates in our country and they are still
rates in our country and they are still
rates in our country and they are still one of the most affluent counties in our
one of the most affluent counties in our
one of the most affluent counties in our country so placing those families again
country so placing those families again
country so placing those families again throughout the counties provided a
throughout the counties provided a
throughout the counties provided a supply of workers for their low wage
supply of workers for their low wage
supply of workers for their low wage jobs and finally that didn’t stem
jobs and finally that didn’t stem
jobs and finally that didn’t stem poverty in any one area of the county
poverty in any one area of the county
poverty in any one area of the county which kept it to be a very safe healthy
which kept it to be a very safe healthy
which kept it to be a very safe healthy vibrant come
vibrant come
vibrant come unity now I came to meet sir Kyla when
unity now I came to meet sir Kyla when
unity now I came to meet sir Kyla when she was five she was attending Stone
she was five she was attending Stone
she was five she was attending Stone Academy at the time and I was matched
Academy at the time and I was matched
Academy at the time and I was matched with her to be her mentor through mentor
with her to be her mentor through mentor
with her to be her mentor through mentor Upstate and she really enjoyed reading
Upstate and she really enjoyed reading
Upstate and she really enjoyed reading and so I quickly realized that and I was
and so I quickly realized that and I was
and so I quickly realized that and I was so proud of her by the end of first
so proud of her by the end of first
so proud of her by the end of first grade she was reading a full grade level
grade she was reading a full grade level
grade she was reading a full grade level ahead and then around that time her
ahead and then around that time her
ahead and then around that time her family moved and they had been in an
family moved and they had been in an
family moved and they had been in an apartment in the Hampton Pinkney area
apartment in the Hampton Pinkney area
apartment in the Hampton Pinkney area and they moved into this beautiful
and they moved into this beautiful
and they moved into this beautiful quality subsidized three-bedroom home
quality subsidized three-bedroom home
quality subsidized three-bedroom home here in the Greenline Spartanburg
here in the Greenline Spartanburg
here in the Greenline Spartanburg community and I noticed once she just
community and I noticed once she just
community and I noticed once she just started at East North Street things
started at East North Street things
started at East North Street things started to struggle and her reading was
started to struggle and her reading was
started to struggle and her reading was falling behind and by the end of third
falling behind and by the end of third
falling behind and by the end of third grade she was now reading a full grade
grade she was now reading a full grade
grade she was now reading a full grade level behind so I asked myself how does
level behind so I asked myself how does
level behind so I asked myself how does this happen when a child like shakeela
this happen when a child like shakeela
this happen when a child like shakeela moves from a lower poverty school into a
moves from a lower poverty school into a
moves from a lower poverty school into a higher poverty school that’s literally
higher poverty school that’s literally
higher poverty school that’s literally about a mile you know apart and so I
about a mile you know apart and so I
about a mile you know apart and so I wanted to share some numbers with you on
wanted to share some numbers with you on
wanted to share some numbers with you on some of our statistics in Greenville at
some of our statistics in Greenville at
some of our statistics in Greenville at Stone you have 33 percent who are in
Stone you have 33 percent who are in
Stone you have 33 percent who are in poverty that’s compared to 79 percent at
poverty that’s compared to 79 percent at
poverty that’s compared to 79 percent at East North Street Stone has 66 percent
East North Street Stone has 66 percent
East North Street Stone has 66 percent meeting or exceeding expectations in
meeting or exceeding expectations in
meeting or exceeding expectations in English in East North Street has 44 now
English in East North Street has 44 now
English in East North Street has 44 now you compared to non magnet schools
you compared to non magnet schools
you compared to non magnet schools because these are both magnet and you
because these are both magnet and you
because these are both magnet and you take Hollis which has 93 percent in
take Hollis which has 93 percent in
take Hollis which has 93 percent in poverty and can they have 30 percent who
poverty and can they have 30 percent who
poverty and can they have 30 percent who meet or exceed expectations in English
meet or exceed expectations in English
meet or exceed expectations in English and then you contrast that with monarch
and then you contrast that with monarch
and then you contrast that with monarch where there’s 20 percent in poverty and
where there’s 20 percent in poverty and
where there’s 20 percent in poverty and 77 percent who are meeting or exceeding
77 percent who are meeting or exceeding
77 percent who are meeting or exceeding expectations in English so this is the
expectations in English so this is the
expectations in English so this is the key for Greenville to take the next big
key for Greenville to take the next big
key for Greenville to take the next big step forward and I wanted to point out
step forward and I wanted to point out
step forward and I wanted to point out though a few more things in shakila’s
though a few more things in shakila’s
though a few more things in shakila’s neighborhood that are positive and that
neighborhood that are positive and that
neighborhood that are positive and that are happening there it is going through
are happening there it is going through
are happening there it is going through revitalization and the city has invested
revitalization and the city has invested
revitalization and the city has invested about a million dollars in
about a million dollars in
about a million dollars in infrastructure work which has provided
infrastructure work which has provided
infrastructure work which has provided things like safe drinking water new
things like safe drinking water new
things like safe drinking water new lines and also lights and street curb
lines and also lights and street curb
lines and also lights and street curb curb äj–
curb äj–
curb äj– this is an example of a gain home that’s
this is an example of a gain home that’s
this is an example of a gain home that’s at the end of her street and
at the end of her street and
at the end of her street and is a solar-powered home in a family who
is a solar-powered home in a family who
is a solar-powered home in a family who has emerged from being homeless lives
has emerged from being homeless lives
has emerged from being homeless lives there next door is work force housing
there next door is work force housing
there next door is work force housing that is a partnership between Genesis
that is a partnership between Genesis
that is a partnership between Genesis homes and Rik Quinn with Quinn’s
homes and Rik Quinn with Quinn’s
homes and Rik Quinn with Quinn’s daughter Phil builders so this also
daughter Phil builders so this also
daughter Phil builders so this also demonstrates our housing challenges our
demonstrates our housing challenges our
demonstrates our housing challenges our most significant for this $20,000 in
most significant for this $20,000 in
most significant for this $20,000 in under annually but extend all the way up
under annually but extend all the way up
under annually but extend all the way up to our teachers our police officers and
to our teachers our police officers and
to our teachers our police officers and military so this is a you know positive
military so this is a you know positive
military so this is a you know positive thing that’s happening in this
thing that’s happening in this
thing that’s happening in this neighborhood I wanted to share though
neighborhood I wanted to share though
neighborhood I wanted to share though that last fall I did stand in the
that last fall I did stand in the
that last fall I did stand in the kitchen of her home with her mother and
kitchen of her home with her mother and
kitchen of her home with her mother and she shared a difficult conversation with
she shared a difficult conversation with
she shared a difficult conversation with me
me
me where she has a brother who’s 16 and he
where she has a brother who’s 16 and he
where she has a brother who’s 16 and he had come home and brought a gun into
had come home and brought a gun into
had come home and brought a gun into their home and she said that he really
their home and she said that he really
their home and she said that he really just wanted to protect himself we had
just wanted to protect himself we had
just wanted to protect himself we had talked many times about that he’d been
talked many times about that he’d been
talked many times about that he’d been experiencing gangs who were threatening
experiencing gangs who were threatening
experiencing gangs who were threatening him since they moved into this community
him since they moved into this community
him since they moved into this community and he also wanted to protect his family
and he also wanted to protect his family
and he also wanted to protect his family so revitalization takes time changing
so revitalization takes time changing
so revitalization takes time changing poverty levels in schools takes time but
poverty levels in schools takes time but
poverty levels in schools takes time but there’s also an element of safety that
there’s also an element of safety that
there’s also an element of safety that is important for families as well as our
is important for families as well as our
is important for families as well as our broader community when poverty is
broader community when poverty is
broader community when poverty is concentrated we have those side effects
concentrated we have those side effects
concentrated we have those side effects so where you live affects your life your
so where you live affects your life your
so where you live affects your life your health and your education I wanted to go
health and your education I wanted to go
health and your education I wanted to go back into my neighborhood this is in the
back into my neighborhood this is in the
back into my neighborhood this is in the North main area and this is a rental
North main area and this is a rental
North main area and this is a rental around the corner from our house on
around the corner from our house on
around the corner from our house on Bennett Street and it’s being offered at
Bennett Street and it’s being offered at
Bennett Street and it’s being offered at $1,100 a month which is twice the rate
$1,100 a month which is twice the rate
$1,100 a month which is twice the rate of the affordable units in shakila’s
of the affordable units in shakila’s
of the affordable units in shakila’s neighborhood families are moving into
neighborhood families are moving into
neighborhood families are moving into the stone area so that their children
the stone area so that their children
the stone area so that their children can attend the school and the north main
can attend the school and the north main
can attend the school and the north main community has become a very coveted
community has become a very coveted
community has become a very coveted place to live at this proximity to
place to live at this proximity to
place to live at this proximity to downtown so stone has seen a decrease in
downtown so stone has seen a decrease in
downtown so stone has seen a decrease in their free and reduced lunch students in
their free and reduced lunch students in
their free and reduced lunch students in their african-american students and in
their african-american students and in
their african-american students and in their magnet enrollment because it’s
their magnet enrollment because it’s
their magnet enrollment because it’s somewhere people want to move and live
somewhere people want to move and live
somewhere people want to move and live all right so we know 87 percent agreed
all right so we know 87 percent agreed
all right so we know 87 percent agreed we have a problem you all being here
we have a problem you all being here
we have a problem you all being here tonight is a wonderful reflection of
tonight is a wonderful reflection of
tonight is a wonderful reflection of that 68% agreed we should not have
that 68% agreed we should not have
that 68% agreed we should not have poverty concentrated in Greenville yet
poverty concentrated in Greenville yet
poverty concentrated in Greenville yet only 9%
only 9%
only 9% said yes I would welcome a mixed income
said yes I would welcome a mixed income
said yes I would welcome a mixed income unit in my backyard so when we can move
unit in my backyard so when we can move
unit in my backyard so when we can move as a city from saying no to saying yes
as a city from saying no to saying yes
as a city from saying no to saying yes in my backyard we can go from being good
in my backyard we can go from being good
in my backyard we can go from being good to being great and this is the key to
to being great and this is the key to
to being great and this is the key to our economic stability and vitality in
our economic stability and vitality in
our economic stability and vitality in the long run so I’m going to ask you
the long run so I’m going to ask you
the long run so I’m going to ask you tonight be courageous and think green
tonight be courageous and think green
tonight be courageous and think green and when you do picture this and I did
and when you do picture this and I did
and when you do picture this and I did ties a textile designer not a graphic
ties a textile designer not a graphic
ties a textile designer not a graphic designer but hopefully you’ll see the
designer but hopefully you’ll see the
designer but hopefully you’ll see the smiley face in here and smile
smiley face in here and smile
smiley face in here and smile imagine that all these colors fade
imagine that all these colors fade
imagine that all these colors fade except for the green dots and then that
except for the green dots and then that
except for the green dots and then that becomes affordable homes spread
becomes affordable homes spread
becomes affordable homes spread throughout our community and then have a
throughout our community and then have a
throughout our community and then have a very courageous open conversation with a
very courageous open conversation with a
very courageous open conversation with a friend with a family member or a
friend with a family member or a
friend with a family member or a co-worker about why where you live
co-worker about why where you live
co-worker about why where you live affects you and your community and then
affects you and your community and then
affects you and your community and then I want you to leave here with a
I want you to leave here with a
I want you to leave here with a challenge find one person just one
challenge find one person just one
challenge find one person just one person who does not value a home to go
person who does not value a home to go
person who does not value a home to go to at the end of their day and when you
to at the end of their day and when you
to at the end of their day and when you do ask this question you will be
do ask this question you will be
do ask this question you will be speaking for those in our community who
speaking for those in our community who
speaking for those in our community who are most vulnerable those who have no
are most vulnerable those who have no
are most vulnerable those who have no resources no power no status and may not
resources no power no status and may not
resources no power no status and may not even have a home and when you do this
even have a home and when you do this
even have a home and when you do this you will also significantly change the
you will also significantly change the
you will also significantly change the outcome of their lives and you will help
outcome of their lives and you will help
outcome of their lives and you will help Greenville write a new and equitable
Greenville write a new and equitable
Greenville write a new and equitable history for yeah that Greenville
history for yeah that Greenville
history for yeah that Greenville [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment