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Committee reviews neighborhood assistance spending, proposes white‑goods cleanup and training trip
Summary
The Affordable Housing Committee reviewed neighborhood assistance program activity — 31 homes served with about $207,931 in repairs plus other services — and discussed a community white‑goods cleanup using public‑works staff and a Savannah trolley tour of affordable housing projects for training; staff said roughly $307,000 remains for the fiscal year.
The Beaufort County Affordable Housing Committee reviewed recent activity in its neighborhood assistance program and discussed community outreach and training options at its March 6 meeting.
Staff reported that 31 homes have been assisted so far this program cycle, including 23 homes that received repairs at a combined total of about $207,931, plumbing or septic services for 17 homes totaling $3,002.24, one tree service billed at $450 and one mobile‑home demolition related to Hurricane Helene at $4,200. Staff said one homeowner is awaiting income verification and one home is currently under repair.
The committee was told the program adopted by town council carried a $400,000 allocation and later received an additional $144,000 from the Beaufort Jasper Housing Trust Fund. Staff said, after recent payments and pending work, the neighborhood assistance program is holding roughly $307,000 available through the end of the fiscal year in June.
Committee members asked whether any year‑end surplus would be reclaimed by the town. Chair Fred Hamilton confirmed the policy already in place protects those funds so they carry forward into the next fiscal cycle rather than being clawed back.
Staff proposed a no‑cost community white‑goods cleanup (appliances only) to coincide with the May River cleanup and likely run on a Monday in June so public‑works crews are available. The plan calls for a sign‑up sheet, addresses and phone numbers for participating homeowners, and use of town manpower; staff said any small equipment purchases (for example, dollies) would come from an existing $10,000 property cleanup line in the neighborhood assistance budget.
Staff also invited committee members to a Savannah trolley tour of affordable housing projects hosted by a regional community housing services agency. The tours, held on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to noon on multiple dates, would be paid for out of the town's training budget for boards and commissions; staff will circulate dates and a website.
Quinn Baldry, market president for Bluffton at Coastal States Bank, introduced himself during public comment and said he has been working with partners on the May River Road project and coordinating documents with the town to help advance that development.
The committee asked staff to circulate details about the cleanup, the trolley tour dates and the Beaufort Memorial presentation scheduled for April 3 so members can prepare questions and consider participating. The meeting adjourned with a request that project updates — including progress on active repairs — be returned to the committee at a future meeting.
