TGHA honors nine who have started the MTW program

GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Housing Authority (TGHA) honored the first nine graduates of its Moving to Work program, which was started last fall.

Created by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Moving to Work (MTW) demonstration program has revolutionized housing assistance for low-income households nationwide since its inception in 1996. MTW empowers selected housing authorities to devise tailored strategies to efficiently utilize federal funds and promote financial independence.

Those being honored Wednesday were Britteny Harris, Brianna J. Simon, Jewel Tatianna Mathewes, Levandra Reeves, Ashley Banks, Halisa Hyler, Joy Allen, Quentoria Jones, and Sherisse Teresa Bodden.

“While we called this a graduation ceremony, this is really honoring our participants who have taken the next major step in advancing their opportunities for careers,” said Terril Bates, CEO of the TGHA.

Over its more than two decades of existence, MTW has allowed agencies such as the TGHA to implement successful initiatives that meet the needs of their communities while expanding opportunities for households. By granting flexibility in housing vouchers funded by HUD and MTW enables agencies to develop localized solutions, Bates said.

In 2021, TGHA joined the program’s Landlord Incentives cohort, aiming to attract and retain landlords in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program through financial and administrative incentives. MTW’s statutory goals include reducing costs, incentivizing employment among households, and increasing housing choices for low-income families.   TGHA’s MTW program also focuses on self-sufficiency. which includes educational and career enhancements.  The housing assistance programs offered are now time limited with households electing to graduate in four or more years.   The amount of time that housing assistance will be provided is based on the households election and commitment to self sufficiency.  The program is mandatory for all households with the exception of those that not elderly or disabled or served in special programs such as VASH, a veteran-based program. 

“This is really about the people who have taken part in MTW. This is a major step for them,” Bates said. “It underscores the importance of MTW in tailoring programs to community needs and swiftly adapting to market changes.”

About TGHA:

The Greenville Housing Authority administers federal funds and provides vouchers for 3,000 households which serve nearly 9,000 members including the elderly, disabled, veterans and children disabled households. TGHA issues payments of $30 million to private property owners annually. It plans, undertakes, finances, constructs and operates affordable housing projects and programs in the city of Greenville and Greenville County. Learn more at tgha.net.