Beaufort Jasper Housing Trust director Claude Hicks outlines grants, projects and $3M state allocation

Claude Hicks, director of the Beaufort Jasper Housing Trust, told the board the trust’s mission is to "create and preserve affordable and workforce housing in Beaufort and Jasper Counties" and outlined recent funding and project activity.

Hicks said the trust awarded eight grantees a combined $984,000 during its first funding round and expects to continue grant rounds next year. "We've put just shy of $1,000,000 dollars into the 8 grants," he said. He described three program platforms—creating and preserving housing, home repairs and first‑time homebuyer assistance—and said the trust provided down‑payment assistance to 10 Habitat families in Hardeeville.

The director noted a $3,000,000 allocation from the state that the trust plans to leverage for repairs and preservation. He said the trust will match City of Beaufort funds to create a pooled home‑repair program for low‑income homeowners and will monitor grantees' use of awarded funds. Hicks said the allocation is not automatically renewable and that the trust will follow up with Senator Davis after the November election to seek additional support.

Hicks described several project commitments: the trust will steward $600,000 provided by the county to CCDC and expects to provide $450,000 of that amount for CCDC to purchase 12 townhomes to rent at affordable rates. He also said the trust made an initial $440,000 commitment to support a 60‑unit affordable housing project in Hardeeville that the town helped make feasible by providing land.

On eligibility and program access, Hicks described the state’s $20,000,000 home‑repair program process: attendees must complete a limited class in Columbia, and only three organizations initially qualified for sponsorship. He said local staff submitted a 120‑page application and are awaiting the state’s determination about whether the trust can access those funds.

Hicks emphasized local affordability gaps and how AMI (area median income) drives funding: "AMI, area median income, is very simply the average income of a specific area," he said. Using local figures, he observed that a one‑bedroom market rent (about $1,800) and a two‑bedroom (about $2,300) are well above what many households at 60–80% of AMI can afford, producing a large segment of cost‑burdened families.

During board Q&A, member Phil asked about the long‑term risk that projects developed with low‑income housing tax credits can convert to market rate after 15–30 years. Hicks said states and developers must plan financially to preserve affordability and noted that liquidity and organizational experience were decisive factors in qualifying for the state program: "there is a liquidity requirement" and "there's an experience requirement," he said, describing the trust’s 25 years of combined experience and substantial development history.

Hicks also said the trust is pursuing additional leveraged funding, including conversations with local banks and a pending application for a $500,000 Federal Home Loan Bank grant to study heirs’ property issues.

The trust will continue to report back to the board as grantees deploy funds and as the trust pursues additional state and foundation support. Hicks closed by thanking the board and the community for their participation and assistance.