Turning Public Land into Workforce Housing
Beaufort County has transferred five parcels of publicly owned land to the Beaufort-Jasper Housing Trust (BJHT) to support the development of workforce housing within the City of Beaufort. The transfer reflects a collaborative effort among Beaufort County, the City of Beaufort, BJHT and community partners to address one of the region’s most pressing challenges: ensuring that the people who work in our community can also afford to live here.
The property is located near Beaufort Memorial Hospital and the Technical College of the Lowcountry, creating an opportunity to build housing close to major employers, education, healthcare and other community resources.
The Vision
BJHT plans to develop the property as a workforce housing community serving income-qualified residents, with an initial emphasis on nurses and other healthcare employees. The project will also create opportunities for other members of the local workforce, including first responders, teachers, and other essential workers.
By contributing publicly owned land, Beaufort County helps reduce one of the largest costs associated with housing development. That reduced cost allows BJHT to leverage the land’s value with private investment and other funding sources while keeping long-term affordability at the center of the project.
A Collaborative Approach
BJHT will not undertake this work alone. Bringing the property to life will require ongoing collaboration among local government, development and financial partners, employers, and the broader community. BJHT is using a competitive Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and Request for Proposals (RFP) process to identify experienced partners capable of transforming the property into a high-quality, financially sustainable workforce housing community. As planning progresses, BJHT will continue working with Beaufort County, the City of Beaufort, Beaufort Memorial Hospital and other community partners to refine the project and ensure it responds to local workforce housing needs.
Project Status
The land transfer marks an important first step in a multi-stage development process. BJHT is currently advancing pre-development activities, including property valuation, partner procurement, project planning and community engagement. Additional information about the development concept, timeline, and housing opportunities will be shared as the project moves forward.
Stay Informed
Want to follow this project as it develops? Sign up for email updates to be among the first to hear about progress, partner selection and future housing opportunities.