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Housing trust, CCDC outline leverage strategy and ask county for local match on new 39-unit project
Summary
The Beaufort-Jasper Housing Trust updated the committee on acquisitions of preserved workforce units and a plan to convene a regional housing forum; Coastal Community Development Corporation requested a $1.2 million local commitment plus $45,000 predevelopment funds to support a 39‑unit Laurel Bay project and to strengthen a state SRDP application.
Claude/Tab Hicks, executive director of the Beaufort-Jasper (referred to in the meeting as Buford/Jasper) Housing Trust (a 501(c)(3)), summarized the trust's first-year work: partnership outreach, purchases of 21 units outside Hilton Head and 23 in unincorporated county areas, and the role of leveraging an initial $600,000 county contribution with private and philanthropic funds to expand capacity.
Hicks described housing affordability challenges, citing HUD income limits that place the 100% area median family income in Beaufort County at $112,500 for a family of four and noting that many households pay more than 30% of income for housing. He urged regional cooperation and previewed a September 2025 "Blueprint for Change" forum to identify pragmatic local actions to support workforce and affordable housing.
Coastal Community Development Corporation (CCDC) presenters followed with a request tied to a new-construction proposal called the Laurel Bay Project, north of the bridge. CCDC said phase 1 would deliver 39 units in a roughly $12,000,000 project and asked the county to provide a 10% local commitment ($1,200,000) and an additional $45,000 for predevelopment to make their SRDP application more competitive. CCDC explained the SRDP timeline: applications due in June, awards early to mid next year, and roughly 12 months for construction after award, with units potentially available in early‑to‑mid 2027 if funded.
Council members and trust leaders discussed potential revenue sources such as accommodation-tax set-asides (a local option up to 15% mentioned) and coordinating with the finance committee for any county funding commitments. The committee noted the ask is substantive and directed staff to coordinate with the housing trust and route any funding request through the appropriate finance channels for further consideration.
