In a heartfelt moment during the December 5, 2024, meeting of the Town of Bluffton Affordable Housing Committee, town employee Andrea shared her personal journey to homeownership, highlighting the impact of the town's homeowner assistance program.

Andrea expressed her gratitude to the committee members, particularly Chairman Hamilton and Grace Staples, for their support throughout her year-long quest for affordable housing. She celebrated making her second mortgage payment, emphasizing the joy and pride of owning her home in Sun City. "It's a lot of money, but I pay it readily because of the satisfaction it gives me," she said, reflecting on the emotional significance of having a place to call her own after years without a garage.

Her story underscores the success of the town's newly implemented homeowner buyer assistance program, which has already aided multiple employees in securing housing. While there is currently no designated staff member to assist employees with housing issues, Andrea noted that the program is well-publicized and accessible to all town employees.

The committee's commitment to affordable housing initiatives was evident, as they aim to create more success stories like Andrea's in the future. As the meeting concluded, the positive impact of community support and effective programs was clear, paving the way for continued efforts in addressing housing challenges in Bluffton.