There are so many women making a difference to enhance the quality of life in the Lowcountry. Michelle Mapp, a 2006 graduate of the Masters in Public Administration program, is one such woman. Michelle is Executive Director of the Lowcountry Housing Trust (LHT), a statewide non-profit community development loan fund whose mission is to build vibrant, sustainable communities by financing the development of affordable housing, healthy food retail outlets, community facilities, and community businesses and to act as a catalyst to meet the fundamental needs of underserved neighborhoods throughout SC.
Since its inception in 2004, the Lowcountry Housing Trust has provided $16.5M in financing to non-profit organizations, for profit developers, and government entities that has facilitated the development of more than $156M in community development projects; funding has created or retained 3,577 jobs, financed 1 healthy food retail outlet, 1 community facility, 1,105 housing units, and provided a safe, decent and affordable place to call home for 2,763 individuals and families.
Michelle is certified as a Housing Development Finance Professional (2009) by the National Development Council. She is a Joint Base Charleston Honorary Commander, Leadership Charleston alumni, Furman University Diversity Leadership Institute alumni, and a ULI SC Sustainable Leadership Initiative alumni. Prior to joining the Trust, Michelle worked for over 15 years in Washington, DC and Atlanta, GA as a consultant to Fortune 500 companies on supply chain and transportation solutions.
As a graduate student at the College of Charleston, Michelle studied public administration, which allowed her to focus on her specific interest in community and economic development. Her enthusiasm and dedication to bettering the community shine through her achievements at the Lowcountry Housing Trust. Before being named Executive Director of LHT, Michelle developed and administered all of the Trust’s loan programs as well as provided day to day technical assistance and project management guidance to non-profit and for profit developers producing affordable housing throughout the Lowcountry.
Michelle has been married for 17 years to Marquette A. Mapp and they have two children, Seth Alexander (12) and Jordan Alexis (10).
To learn more about Michelle’s work and the Lowcountry Housing Trust, visit their website at http://www.lowcountryhousingtrust.org/.
