Get to Know: Brian Albers, Advisory Board Chair
Brian Albers has found his career calling in helping people have access to more affordable housing in Greenville. As co-founder of Affordable Upstate, an investment firm focused on redeveloping and redefining naturally occurring affordable housing in the area, Brian has made it part of his mission to help ensure more people have access to safe and secure living spaces.
Brian also serves as Advisory Board chairperson for The Salvation Army of Greenville. He started volunteering with the organization when he learned about their mission work through an event at the The Salvation Army Kroc Center in 2014. He, like many others, was familiar with the annual Red Kettle campaign at Christmas, as well as the organization’s Thrift Stores. But he did not realize the full scope of mission services The Salvation Army provided in the community until he became more involved.
He was inspired to learn about the youth served through The Salvation Army’s Boys & Girls Club after school and through the summer months. He was moved when he discovered how many individuals and families receive shelter, food boxes and rent and utilities assistance. He knew he wanted to help at a deeper level, and he joined the Advisory Board in 2014.
“The support The Salvation Army provides across Greenville, Pickens & Oconee Counties is critically needed,” Brian said. “The face of homelessness has changed over the years as this area has grown. Rent has become unaffordable for so many working families. People are staying in The Salvation Army’s shelter longer than ever without another safe place to call home. We’re working hard as an Advisory Board to ensure The Salvation Army can continue to provide these services to as many people as possible.”
In addition to serving as Advisory Board chair of The Salvation Army of Greenville, he also serves as the Co-Chair of the Greenville Affordable Housing Coalition, whose mission is to advocate for the production and preservation of affordable housing in Greenville County.
When he’s not working hard to bring about more change in the affordable housing landscape in Greenville, Brian enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He is also an avid outdoor enthusiast, and spends time hiking, hunting, fishing, playing golf and mountain biking as much as he can.
We are grateful for Brian’s leadership on The Salvation Army of Greenville Advisory Board, and appreciate the many ways he’s supporting the affordable housing movement in our community. Visit AffordableUpstate.com to learn more about his efforts.