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Commissionors press for a refreshed housing workgroup as housing authority redevelopment and homelessness plans move forward
Summary
Commissioners urged reactivating a housing subcommittee to track large redevelopment projects, RAD conversions, homelessness planning and the Hope Center lease extension; Charleston Housing Authority developments Morrison Station and Gadsden Green were discussed.
Commissioners at the Human Affairs and Race Reconciliation Commission meeting described housing and homelessness as one of the year’s top priorities and agreed to reconstitute a housing workgroup to follow redevelopment, subsidy and homelessness responses.
Commissioner Steven (first referenced as Steven, commissioner) summarized market pressures and pointed to regional studies and projects — including the Bloomberg housing analysis, the Ashley River Crossing/ Ashley River Crossing and the Low Line project — as factors that could reshape development and affordability. He urged the commission to identify specific, equity‑focused recommendations the body can deliver to City Council. Commissioners agreed a focused subcommittee could take on technical issues such as fee‑in‑lieu calculations, density and subsidy strategies.
Commissioners discussed two large redevelopment efforts described to the commission by a staff speaker familiar with Housing Authority plans: (1) a redevelopment under contract with Integral LLC for a combined project known to staff as Morrison Station that will replace Cooper River Courts and Meeting Street Extended; and (2) an anticipated, phased redevelopment of Gadsden Green under a ‘‘choice neighborhood’’ concept that includes soft services for residents and workforce supports. The speaker said existing households on properties undergoing demolition are guaranteed a right to return at prior public housing subsidy levels, and that projects will be phased to preserve housing during construction.
On homelessness, commissioners noted the Hope Center’s lease has been extended, providing additional time for planning. Neighbors Together — a nonprofit clearinghouse that matches landlords willing to accept subsidies with tenants — received city funding in the 2025 budget, a speaker said; the precise allocation amount was not specified during the meeting. Commissioners discussed the need for regional partnerships and funding commitments from neighboring counties to sustain any expanded regional homeless response.
Next steps recorded at the meeting: commissioners will refresh the housing subcommittee and schedule presentations from the Charleston Housing Authority and other housing stakeholders (timeline: commissioners suggested March for a detailed housing authority briefing). No formal votes or policy changes on housing or homelessness were taken during the meeting.
