July 24, 2025

Greenville Housing Authority Launches Moving to Work Program

News Summary

The Greenville Housing Authority has received approval to launch the Moving to Work program aimed at assisting low-income families in achieving self-sufficiency. This initiative focuses on providing education, job training, and financial coaching to empower residents. The program will enroll over 1,700 households and includes support from community partners. By promoting pathways to employment and homeownership, the MTW program seeks to reduce reliance on housing assistance while creating lasting change in the community.

Greenville – The Greenville Housing Authority (TGHA) has officially received approval to launch the Moving to Work (MTW) program, a federal initiative designed to assist low-income families in achieving self-sufficiency. This groundbreaking approach shifts the focus from just providing housing vouchers to enabling residents to engage in education, job training, and financial coaching.

The MTW program is set to enroll over 1,700 households in Greenville, providing families with the tools necessary to break the cycle of poverty and improve their living conditions. Participants can select from four pathways to success: entering first-time employment, saving for homeownership, returning to school, or exploring other educational opportunities. As they progress through the program, individuals will earn financial incentives along with support from community partners, including USC Upstate, Goodwill, United Way, and Hollingsworth Funds.

Having already piloted the MTW program in Greenville for the past nine months with privately sourced funding, TGHA is now ready for the official launch, even though the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) does not currently provide additional funding for this initiative. Instead, it allows greater flexibility in utilizing existing housing choice voucher funds and permits housing authorities to request waivers from specific regulations to tailor the program to local needs.

Participants in the MTW program are expected to engage in annual progress meetings alongside financial education and coaching activities. Importantly, the program exempts elderly and disabled individuals, ensuring that it focuses on those actively seeking self-sufficiency and a stable housing situation.

City leaders believe that this new strategy will significantly reduce the housing waitlist and encourage families to graduate from the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Historically, TGHA did not incentivize families to leave the voucher program, contributing to a backlog of individuals seeking housing assistance. The MTW initiative aims to assist participants in increasing their household earnings, which could eventually eliminate their reliance on housing assistance entirely.

The support provided by the MTW program has made a significant impact on its participants. Mothers seeking better lives for their children describe the program as a crucial step toward a brighter future, especially after enduring personal challenges. The success stories of individuals like Brittaney Bolden, a mother of seven, and Carmen Terry, a mother of three, highlight how this initiative is fostering hope and change.

By collaborating with local organizations such as the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Greenville Literacy Association, and SC Works, the TGHA is implementing a community-centered approach to helping families navigate their path toward self-sufficiency.

The Moving to Work demonstration program, established by the federal government in 1996, has seen participation from over 140 public housing agencies across the United States. The current initiative in Greenville reflects a commitment to revitalizing and empowering low-income families to build better lives through enhanced educational and employment opportunities.

In summary, the approval and upcoming launch of the Moving to Work program by the Greenville Housing Authority marks a significant shift in addressing the needs of low-income families. This innovative approach aims to provide not just housing, but a comprehensive support system focused on education, job readiness, and financial literacy, ultimately empowering families toward self-sufficiency.