Our History

Beaufort County commissioned a Housing Needs Analysis that confirmed an acute shortage of workforce and affordable housing.

Beaufort County commissioned a study which defined how a regional entity should be created to address the need for workforce/affordable housing. The “Asakura Robinson” study has been the guiding document for development of the Trust.

Beaufort County, Jasper County, the City of Beaufort the Town of Bluffton the Town of Hardeeville, the Town of Hilton Head Island, the Town of Port Royal, and the Town of Yemassee, acting through an intergovernmental agreement established the regional housing trust fund (the Trust).

Beaufort County entered into an Agreement with Community Works to serve as fiscal agent while the Trust was beginning operations

The Trust, acting through the Oversight Board Member,. has been following the directives of the Asakura Robinson plan. This includes incorporating into a 501(c) (3) non-profit which was necessary to accept donations from private parties and to act as its own fiscal agent

Community Works and Beaufort County ended their agreement in January 2024. Additionally, the Trust released its first round of funding RFPs in rental development, home repair and homeowner assistance.

The Trust recruited additional board members with expertise in financing, real estate and affordable housing. The Trust hired its first Executive Director and made nearly $1,000,000 in funding commitments as a result of the RFPs.