Beaufort Jasper Housing Trust outlines projects and presses state on tax-exemption fix

Claude Hicks, executive director of the Beaufort Jasper Housing Trust, told the Beaufort County board that the nonprofit is moving forward with donated land and repair programs aimed at creating and preserving workforce and affordable housing.

Hicks said the trust has accepted land donations in both Beaufort and Jasper counties and is preparing development plans: “We have 5 parcels on Rebow Road for development of housing for health care workers,” he said, adding that “6 acres have been donated in Jasper County on Argent Boulevard” while the trust prepares final legal paperwork. He said projects will prioritize Beaufort Memorial employees, nurses and first responders and that both multifamily and some owner-occupied units are being considered.

Why it matters: the trust reported more than $1 million in new board-approved funding over two years and described awards that could support more than 200 new workforce and affordable units and about 82 home repairs through recent grant awards. “Home repairs is the most in-demand part of what we do,” Hicks said, noting three repairs already underway under the City of Beaufort matching program.

Hicks also flagged a state-level problem that officials said has produced direct revenue losses for local governments. He described recent legislation that allows a developer or owner to create a 501(c)(3) and reserve a single affordable unit in exchange for a full property-tax exemption. “Port Royal just got hit with a $600,000 hole off of one project that chose to take this exemption,” Hicks said. He and other speakers warned the provision could spread to other projects and erode school-district and municipal tax bases.

Board members and public commenters pressed the trust on remedies. A board member asked whether the trust could assist with lobbying; Hicks said the organization is coordinating with legislators and regulators and expected within 30–60 days to outline a plan to press Columbia for changes. Public commenter Carlton said the Beaufort County School District initially recorded a roughly $700,000 loss and that the figure could exceed $1 million if many projects claim the exemption.

What’s next: Hicks said the trust is preparing applications to banks and philanthropic foundations and exploring revenue options such as land leases or partnership equity to sustain the trust long term. He asked board members to share advice and potential private-sector connections to help scale projects. The board did not take formal action during the meeting; Hicks said the trust will return with updates and may convene a follow-up session in fall 2026.

Notes: Quotes and program descriptions are drawn from the trust’s presentation to the board. Financial figures and the description of the state provision were given by Hicks and public commenters during the meeting; the transcript did not cite statute numbers or specific bill texts.