Upstate Carolina Real Estate Investors Association

Lisa Beharry joined the Greenville County Human Relations Commission in August 2025 as Staff Attorney, overseeing the Eviction Protection Grant Program — a grant specifically awarded to Greenville County to address its growing housing crisis. A passionate advocate for both landlords and tenants, Lisa believes that creative alternatives to eviction lead to better outcomes for everyone involved. Her team provides free mediation services for disputes involving repairs, security deposits, nonpayment of rent, and unlawful removal of tenants or services from rental properties.

The numbers tell a striking story: Greenville currently holds the 2nd highest eviction rate among 45 U.S. cities tracked by Princeton’s Eviction Lab, with 20% of renters served eviction papers in a single year — three times the national average. This is especially notable given that Greenville County has one of the lowest poverty rates in South Carolina, signaling that rising housing costs and lack of awareness of tenant and landlord rights are key drivers.

For landlords, the cost of eviction is real: an estimated $5,000–$8,000 per unit in lost rent, legal fees, vacancy, and repairs. Lisa will share what happens on both sides of the process — how early intervention protects your investment, how displaced tenants affect the broader rental market, and how Greenville County’s free mediation resources can help you resolve disputes before they reach the courtroom.