Message from Columbia Housing CEO Ivory N. Mathews
UNIVERSAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS!
"Despite the importance of rental assistance, more federal dollars go to homeownership subsidies like the mortgage interest deduction, which mainly benefit higher-income households, instead of families that struggle the most to afford housing. South Carolina communities only thrive when everyone - renters and homeowners, whether Black, brown, or white - has access to decent, affordable housing.
303,500 low-income South Carolina renters pay more than half their income for housing. Most don't receive rental assistance due to funding limitations. Who are they?
33% are children.
33% are working adults.
10% are seniors.
19% have a disability.
4% are veterans.
When low-income renters can't find a decent, affordable apartment, they are more likely to be evicted and risk becoming homeless.
On a single night in 2018, 3,930 people experienced homelessness in South Carolina. An estimated 13,650 South Carolina school children lived in shelters, on the street, and doubled up with other families, or in hotels or motels during the 2016-2017 school year.
Our country's current policy approach gives more help to those who need it least. We can change this, with our policymakers working together to expand rental assistance and ensure that all South Carolina residents have access to good, affordable homes." [Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
Ivory N. Mathews, CEO of Columbia Housing currently serves in the following local, state, regional, and national affordable housing advocacy roles:
- Congressional Contact for the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
- Legislative Representative - SC on the Legislative Committee for the Southeastern Regional Council of NAHRO (SERC-NAHRO)
- Board Member & Officer for the Carolina's Council of Housing, Redevelopment & Codes Officials (CCHRCO)
- Senior Vice-President for the Carolina's Council of Housing, Redevelopment & Codes Officials (CCHRCO)
- Legislative Representative - SC on the Legislative Committee for the Carolina's Council of Housing, Redevelopment & Codes Officials (CCHRCO)
- Board Member of the Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee for the South Carolina State Housing Finance, and Development Authority
- Member of the SC Association of Housing Authority Executive Directors
- Member of the City of Columbia's Affordable Housing Taskforce
