During the April 9th City Council meeting, Mayor Riley and the City of Charleston presented CLF with the Fair Housing Proclamation as part of Fair Housing month. The City presented the proclamation in recognition of CLF’s long-term impact on the local community and its ability to create affordable housing opportunities for low-income families.
The partnership between CLF and the City of Charleston dates back more than ten years, when under the leadership of the Mayor’s Council on Homelessness and Affordable Housing, the idea to create a local housing trust was first introduced. Originally known as the Charleston Housing Trust, Mayor Riley and the City’s leadership quickly realized the need for a regional plan to address the lack of affordable housing and therefore, expanded the scope of the Trust to include the tri-county region. Hence, the SC Community Loan Fund was formed.
“The City of Charleston has been a pivotal partner of CLF since inception,” states Michelle Mapp, executive director of CLF. “Their financial support over the years, as well as the expertise they provide, has allowed us to create a broad spectrum of affordable housing opportunities to residents within city limits. As CLF expands its focus beyond affordable housing and into community development projects, we look forward to continuing our partnership with Mayor Riley, his staff, and City Council.”
Mayor Riley, along with Councilmembers Dudley Gregorie and Robert Mitchell, presented CLF board and staff with the proclamation. Board chair Karen Abrams, board member Steve Wichmann, and executive director Michelle Mapp accepted the proclamation on behalf of CLF.
About Fair Housing Month: In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, and marital status. Title VIII of the Act is known as the Fair Housing Act. Today, we celebrate the accomplishments of this Act during the month of April (Fair Housing Month).
CLF’s impact on the City of Charleston: Since 2004, CLF has invested $4.1M into affordable housing developments and down payment assistance within the City of Charleston. Funding has created housing opportunities in every City of Charleston district, including the neighborhoods of Rosemount, Longborough, Peecksens Court, the East Side, West Ashley, James Island, and Daniel Island.
