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Developer: subsidies and mayoral leadership are essential to produce affordable housing
Summary
At the Dec. 5 Affordable Housing Committee meeting, developer Roger Bright of Ferino told the committee that subsidy is the central factor in affordable housing and urged local leaders to provide land, fee relief and committed funding to make projects viable. He offered Ferino's willingness to partner if the incentives exist.
Roger Bright, speaking to the Bluffton Affordable Housing Committee on Dec. 5, said subsidy — not product design or builder preference — is the single most important ingredient in creating affordable housing. "Subsidy," Bright said, repeating the word to emphasize his point. He described a recent project, Harvey Place, in which Ferino built townhomes that sold to Habitat for Humanity at $225,000 a unit after the developer absorbed most site and construction costs.
Bright told committee members that public–private partnerships require political commitment and financial support from local government. "No fees. Free land," he said, listing the kinds of local contributions he had asked for in previous projects. He also said his firm reduced costs through donated materials, volume purchasing and by foregoing profit on at least one development, and he urged town officials to identify sites with utilities already in place to avoid large infrastructure costs.
Why it matters: Bright framed the developer's calculus for affordable projects in blunt financial terms, telling members that without municipal support — land, fee waivers, or direct subsidy — many builders cannot make the numbers work. He pointed to Louisville examples where a combination of trust funds and local backing eventually produced larger, recurring investments in affordable housing.
Committee response and next steps: Members thanked Bright for his experience and said they would follow up; staff later noted programs and grant funding available through the town and regional partners. Bright said Ferino would consider projects in Bluffton if an appropriate financial and regulatory framework was in place.
Quotes: Bright recounted the Harvey Place closing and financing: "They bought those 10 units from Ferino for $225,000 a piece," and summarized why private builders typically need subsidy to bridge market costs to affordable rents or sale prices. He also urged leadership from mayors and councils: "When the mayor says, I wanna do affordable housing, don't just say it. When do they put their money up?"
Closing: Bright offered to help as a consultant or partner if the town identifies a feasible site and commits resources. Committee members said they would consider the recommendations and continue conversations in future meetings.
