News

Grymes joins Dogwood Trust to promote affordable housing

Sarah Grymes

By Lightning Reports, Published: January 14, 2021

Sarah Grymes, an experienced housing development expert with a strong financial background, joined Dogwood Health Trust last week as vice president of Impact for Housing.

Grymes, who had led Hendersonville-based Housing Assistance Corp., will oversee Dogwood’s work with area partners to help increase the number of affordable housing units, help residents stay in existing homes safely and help reduce homelessness. She will also work to address the numerous and complex contributing issues that cross all of Dogwood’s strategic priorities.

“We know that housing is a necessity for good health and well-being, and Sarah has exceptional experience and knows what it takes to make affordable homes a reality for Western North Carolina residents,” said Dr. Susan Mims, interim CEO of Dogwood Health Trust. “She has already proven to be a valuable partner in Dogwood’s initial work under our Housing Strategic Priority, and we are excited to bring her deep knowledge of finance, construction and development onto our team so that we can continue to help facilitate the creation of safe and affordable housing throughout the region.”

Dogwood’s Impact Team is responsible for grant making and program-related investment activity. Grymes joins a strong group working proactively to find and work shoulder-to-shoulder with partners of all sizes throughout the 18 Western North Carolina counties and the Qualla Boundary.

At the Housing Assistance Corp., Grymes oversaw more than $25 million in real estate assets and sought out and secured land and financing for single- and multi-family development.

“I am so excited for this opportunity to work for Dogwood Health Trust and serve people in our region creating much needed affordable and workforce housing,” Grymes said. “I cherished my time on the board and as the executive director of Housing Assistance Corp. doing this work I truly love and feel truly lucky that I will be able to help our entire region.”

Prior to her role with the Housing Assistance Corporation, Grymes worked as the director of resource development for the United Way of Henderson County. As a bank executive, she worked for Mountain Bank, Mountain 1st Bank and Trust and Bank of North Carolina. Grymes is an active member in the community serving on numerous boards and committees including the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, the AdventHealth Foundation Board and the Blue Ridge Humane Society.