North Charleston Mayor Discusses Affordable Housing Initiative Amid New Policy Development

NORTH CHARLESTON – A New Step Toward Affordable Housing

On a crisp October day, with sunshine and clouds vying for attention in the sky, North Charleston’s Mayor Reggie Burgess stood on a vacant lot on Robertson Boulevard, discussing an exciting prospect for the community. A nonprofit, FR33 Lunch, is eyeing this city-owned property for two new single-family affordable homes, but there’s a bit of a hiccup in making that happen.

Holding Nonprofits Accountable

The city council has decided to pause the land donation process for now. Why? They’re working on a new policy to ensure that when city land is handed over, the projects will actually come to fruition. Mayor Burgess explained, “We don’t want to give you something and then have no way of holding you accountable.”

This new policy will require nonprofits and other organizations looking to build on city land, whether they’re small business owners or developers, to sign a contract. The contract will not only outline the financial backing for the project but also include a timeline. What’s more, it will come with a reverter clause that permits the city to reclaim the land if the project stalls.

Why Affordable Housing?

Burgess emphasized the importance of creating affordable housing to help build generational wealth in the community. The Oak Grove/10 Mile neighborhood, where the Robertson Boulevard property is located, is home to a mix of mobile homes and small, single-family houses. The area is in need of more affordable options.

“We own nearly 20 vacant lots,” Burgess noted, all in places where people desperately want to live without breaking the bank. “We want to facilitate homeownership, not rental situations,” he clarified, making the goal very clear.

The Vision of FR33 Lunch

FR33 Lunch, founded by Raphael Parks in memory of his grandmother who was a lunch lady in the 10 Mile community, has been hard at work. The nonprofit combats food insecurity by providing free meals and launching community programs that enhance residents’ quality of life. According to Kwadjo Campbell, the nonprofit is aiming to offer stable, affordable housing for families struggling in today’s market.

Having secured funding through CPSI 401K, FR33 Lunch was poised to start this development, but council members expressed concerns during a July meeting. Some felt it was crucial to establish a **defined process** before handing over valuable city land. “I think we need a defined process and I don’t think we have that now,” stated Councilman Kenny Skipper.

A Hiccup, But Progress Ahead

After receiving unanimous disapproval from the council recently, the project halted, but Burgess and his team are optimistic that the new policy will come together quickly. They expect to finalize the policy this week and present it at the upcoming council meeting on October 24.

While Campbell appreciates the careful approach, there’s an undercurrent of anxiety about timing. Delays can lead to increased construction costs, so he mentioned, “We should be grandfathered in to ensure our project can move forward without further hindrance.”

Looking Forward

It looks like North Charleston is taking important steps to ensure that any future construction projects can flourish and meet community needs. The city is not just about building homes but about fostering stable communities and supporting initiatives that lift everyone up. As discussions continue and policies are crafted, we remain hopeful that this piece of land on Robertson Boulevard will soon be a thriving home for families in need.

Stay Tuned!

The next council meeting will be an important one, and we’ll be watching closely to see how these plans evolve and hopefully pave the way for affordable housing in the vibrant community of North Charleston.