Housing groups report purchases, regional trust progress and ask county support for a 39‑unit rental project

Representatives of the Buford‑Jasper Housing Trust and the Coastal Community Development Corporation updated the committee April 7 on local affordable and workforce housing efforts and funding needs.

Buford‑Jasper Housing Trust: Executive Director (identified as Mister Hicks in the meeting) said the trust’s 501(c)(3) mission is creating and preserving workforce and affordable housing. He reported that, working with CCDC, the trust supported purchase of 21 townhome units in unincorporated county areas for workforce housing and that the purchase price for those units was about $4,000,007.72 (trust reported additional funding from grants and other sources). The trust said two units were leased by CCDC at the time of the briefing, two were available, and 17 had leases in place; the trust also described outreach to more than 100 organizations in its first year.

Coastal Community Development Corporation (CCDC): Board members and partners reported the county’s $600,000 contribution (previously allocated) helped leverage additional private and philanthropic investments to acquire and preserve rental units. CCDC’s Dave Wetmore said the organization raised private capital and philanthropic investments to expand ownership of workforce units; he said CCDC now owns multiple units on Hilton Head Island and in unincorporated county areas and that the nonprofit uses long covenants (99 years) to preserve affordability.

Laurel Bay proposal and funding request: CCDC representatives described a proposed new‑construction project, Laurel Bay (north of the Broad River near the Marine Corps Air Station), that would create 39 rental units in its first phase and 12–40+ acre site plans overall. Project partners described a state program (Small Rental Development Program, SRDP) that scores applications more competitively when applicants demonstrate local financial participation. CCDC asked the committee to consider local support: they said a typical competitive application benefits from about a 10% local commitment and the group asked for a $1.2 million local commitment to improve the project’s chance of winning SRDP funds; they also requested $45,000 to cover predevelopment costs. Presenters said the county contribution would be an investment in the development rather than a direct reimbursement to the county.

Why it matters: Presenters framed the intervention as addressing workforce shortages that threaten local services (nurses, teachers, first responders) and said regulatory and infrastructure costs increase overall project gaps. The trust plans a regional “Blueprint for Change” forum in September to generate actionable recommendations.

Next steps: Committee members noted the housing trust’s regional model and requested further coordination with the trust and housing partners; the chair suggested the finance committee consider any formal monetary request and asked staff to coordinate with the trust and CCDC on documentation and timing before any funding decision.

Ending: Presenters thanked the committee and said they would follow up with detailed materials and coordination with county finance and the newly hired county grant writer.