Greenville County Council restores $1 million for affordable housing after public push; budget adopted

Summary

After hours of public comment and multiple amendments, Greenville County Council approved the FY2026 budget with $1,000,000 added to the countyaffordable housing fund (750,000 from returned GADC funds and 250,000 from fund balance). Several speakers had urged reinstating the full $3 million that had earlier been reduced.

At a meeting of the Greenville County Council, members voted to adopt the FY2026 county budget after a daylong debate that included sustained public comment urging restoration of affordable-housing funding. Councilors approved an amendment to add $1,000,000 to the countyaffordable housing fund — $750,000 identified as returned GADC (Greenville Area Development Corporation) funds and $250,000 taken from the county fund balance — before passing the final budget.

The spending change followed repeated public appeals for more housing resources. Amber Stewart, representing Greenville Housing Fund and the Greenville Affordable Housing Coalition, told the council: "Since 2019, Greenville County Redevelopment Authority has strategically managed these funds with over 7,800,000.0 already invested to support housing projects across the county." Becky Godby of GOAL (Greenville Organized for Accountable Leadership) asked the council to "support amendment 1 to reinstate the $2,000,000 into the affordable housing fund," calling affordable housing a "public purpose. This is something I…

Greenville County Council restores $1 million for affordable housing after public push; budget adopted

Summary

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