With its state-of-the-art facilities, Greensboro’s 100-acre American Hebrew Academy campus stands as a stark reminder of missed opportunities and questionable leadership. This property has lingered in limbo for years, shifting from an elite Jewish boarding school to a federal influx care facility. Now facing another uncertain chapter, the federal government announces its intent to relinquish control.
With 16 dormitory buildings, 35 staff apartments, and a top-tier athletic complex, this campus could temporarily shelter Greensboro’s homeless population during the harsh winter months. Yet, despite its potential, our city’s leadership has to seize this chance to address a pressing local issue.
In 2024 alone, the property’s owner paid nearly $300,000 in property taxes while the campus sat largely unused. What could have been a vibrant, productive space serving vulnerable populations instead became a financial sinkhole for taxpayers. Between forgone opportunities and questionable investments, the site’s history is riddled with mismanagement, high salaries for executives, and federal contracts that never fulfilled their purpose.
With its extensive dormitories and unused resources, the campus could serve as a temporary haven for Greensboro’s homeless population during the cold months. While Chinese interests own the property, they currently derive no revenue from it. This unique situation could make them amenable to leasing the facility temporarily or partnering with local agencies in exchange for modest compensation or tax incentives.
The lack of action raises questions about Greensboro’s leadership. Mayor Vaughan and others have acknowledged the campus’s potential, yet little has been done to capitalize on it. FEMA used the site briefly for training purposes, but no long-term solutions have been proposed despite clear opportunities to address community needs.
This isn’t just about housing the homeless—it’s about resourceful problem-solving. Greensboro could take a bold step by negotiating with the campus owners and repurposing the facility for meaningful, short-term community benefits. It’s an opportunity to show compassion and responsibility, addressing immediate local needs while fostering goodwill.
The American Hebrew Academy’s story highlights the consequences of opaque decision-making and a lack of strategic vision. From its inception to its decline, poor leadership and questionable priorities have wasted taxpayer dollars and missed chances to uplift our community.
As a candidate for Greensboro City Council District 4, I believe in pragmatic solutions that benefit all residents. We must engage with the campus owners to explore its potential for community use, whether as a shelter, a training facility, or another purpose that meets Greensboro’s needs. Let’s ensure this site becomes a beacon of hope rather than a symbol of missed opportunity.
By acting now, we can turn a dormant property into a dynamic solution for Greensboro’s challenges. This is our chance to lead with innovation and compassion, showing that Greensboro’s leaders are ready to face our city’s needs head-on. Together, we can make this vision a reality.
Additional Resources:
WFMY News 2 – Federal government ends contract with former American Hebrew Academy
News & Record – Feds end lease for unused migrant center at former Hebrew Academy in Greensboro
North State Journal – Loan documents show Chinese ties to Greensboro facility slated to house migrant children
WFMY News 2 – FEMA could house displaced families from Helene in Greensboro
FOX 8 News – FEMA to take control of Greensboro immigrant facility
USASpending.gov – Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Guilford County Property Taxes Paid in 2024
As a proud advocate for Greensboro, I see the American Hebrew Academy campus as more than an unused property—it’s a chance to make a real difference in our community. This 100-acre site, with its state-of-the-art facilities, has the potential to address urgent local needs, from providing temporary shelter for our homeless population during the winter to serving as a hub for emergency response and recovery efforts.
We cannot afford to let such resources sit idle while our community faces pressing challenges. With collaboration, transparency, and innovative thinking, we can repurpose this facility to benefit Greensboro residents, showing compassion for our most vulnerable and maximizing the potential of our city’s assets. Let’s lead with bold action, ensuring Greensboro thrives as a place where opportunity and care intersect.
Let’s build the future our city deserves. Greensboro is ready for a new era—let’s get to work.