New Affordable Housing Project for Seniors on Johns Island Receives Critical Backing from Leaders
In Charleston, leaders believe a new affordable housing project on Johns Island is critically essential for the local senior community. Named the Esau Jenkins Village, after a local civil rights hero, this project has been years in the making, according to community leaders and developers.
Esau Jenkins Village: A Safe, Affordable Home for Seniors
The Esau Jenkins Village project, based at 3627 Maybank Highway, will offer affordable housing to senior residents aged 62 and above. The project is said to be a realization of the dream of Jenkins and his wife, Janie, for decent, clean, affordable housing on the islands according to their youngest daughter, Elaine Jenkins.
Support for the project, particularly critical for the Johns Island community, has arrived notably from the Charleston County Council. District 8 council member, Joe Boykin, has drawn attention to the pressing need for affordable housing outside of typically urbanized areas, referring to the unique culture and aging population of the sea islands.
A Vision for Johns Island
The Esau Jenkins Village project is a stepping stone to broader affordable housing ventures for the region. The Johns Island Rural Housing, an affordable housing development situated across Esau Jenkins Village site, is scheduled for a complete overhaul in the future.
The Charleston County Council acted as the keystone for the project by promising $3.26 million of its Federal American Rescue Plan resources to fill the funding gap for the project. The total funds for the project, amounting to approximately $25.9 million, come from numerous sources, including the City of Charleston, Charleston County, the State of South Carolina, and the United States Department of Housing and Community Development.
A Collaborative Effort
Speakers at the project’s groundbreaking ceremony paid tribute to the enduring legacy of Esau Jenkins, signaling his ongoing community influence. Charleston Mayor William Cogswell lauded the collaborative problem-solving capacity shown by the city in support of the project.
Richard Hutto, the executive director of the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority, mentioned the significant amount of effort that multiple partners invested into overcoming construction cost increase challenges, induced by shifting legislation that impacted taxpayers.
A Plan for the Future
Ongoing plans center on improving the overall quality of life on Johns Island. Such plans include a comprehensive infrastructure project on Maybank Highway to alleviate traffic problems and the introduction of a CARTA bus route that may include stops at the Esau Jenkins Village location in the future.
Even though the rapid growth may be concerning for residents, Boykin believes that with smart planning and development, the island can retain its intrinsic character and keep improving the living conditions for the growing population.
In closing, the Esau Jenkins Village development on Johns Island presents an example of broad cooperation and determination to improve the lives of senior residents in the local community.
