North Charleston’s Housing Authority Faces Contract Crisis Amid Affordable Housing Demand

North Charleston Faces Housing Authority Contract Controversy

In the heart of North Charleston, community members are voicing their concerns over the Charleston County Housing and Redevelopment Authority and a recent contract snafu that has left many scratching their heads. With the city’s growing population, the demand for affordable housing has never been more critical, which adds even more fuel to this fiery situation.

Let’s break it down—there are around 30 vacant homes in North Charleston that the housing authority has been trying to sell. These homes, including one pictured at 8943 Furr St., are part of the authority’s plan to raise funds, but they hit a major snag when a previously signed contract to sell these homes for $6.5 million fell through.

What Happened?

On September 8, a contract was signed by Angela Childers, the housing authority’s CEO. In it, they promised to transfer these houses to a buyer known as FlipSide SC LLC during a closing scheduled for October 11. However, just a day before this closing, the Charleston County Council decided to explore purchasing the same homes. This unexpected turn of events left FlipSide’s lawyer, M. Chase Payne, feeling frustrated, and he promptly issued a default notice to the housing authority.

More Legal Woes

Following this notice, another lawyer representing FlipSide sent out a breach of contract notice, pointing out the lack of transparency and the potential for improper interference from the county. “FlipSide is hopeful there is a reasonable explanation for the failure to close, delays, and lack of transparency,” stated lawyer Nicholas Tierney in a letter regarding the situation. Douglas Hickerson, the real estate investor behind FlipSide, is eager to close the deal, as he has prospective buyers lined up who are ready to purchase some of these homes directly from his company.

Who Knew What?

It turns out that the County officials were unaware of the contract with FlipSide, while the housing authority seems to have overlooked state law, which requires the county’s approval to sell such properties. This alarming oversight has raised serious questions about the communication—or lack thereof—between the county and the housing authority.

Herb Sass, the County Council Chairman, emphasized the importance of maintaining affordable housing, saying, I know that we want them to stay affordable.

A Call for Investigation

Adding to the tension, local lawmakers have been demanding an investigation into the sale of public housing since August. They argue that the community deserves clarity regarding why these public assets are being sold and how this decision could affect access to affordable housing in Charleston County. The people of Charleston County deserve to know why public assets are being sold off and how this decision will impact their access to affordable housing, commented Rep. Mark Smith and four other legislators.

Childers defended the housing authority’s stance, explaining that selling these vacant, rundown houses is a way to generate funds needed for essential repairs at facilities like the Joseph Floyd Manor. She mentioned that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development had flagged the housing authority as “troubled” just last year, which only adds pressure for them to improve the housing situation.

A Rocky Road Ahead

It is clear that the Charleston County Housing and Redevelopment Authority is facing a challenging time with both public perception and operational hurdles tightly intertwined. The authority has previously sold off homes with the intention of using federal funds to create paths for continued affordable housing, but this most recent hiccup might complicate their efforts.

For residents and prospective buyers alike, the future of these vacant houses—and indeed, the future of affordable housing in North Charleston—remains uncertain. All eyes will be on how the authority navigates this rocky road ahead.