A new affordable housing development is set to be built in downtown Charleston, providing dozens of housing options for older residents, though some nearby homeowners have raised concerns about flooding.
Affordable Housing Project Approved
The City of Charleston has approved $2 million to help launch the Poinsette Apartments project at 55 Lee Street, across from the Martin Luther King Jr. Pool.
The development, led by the Humanities Foundation, is expected to cost about $33 million and will include 88 apartments.
Of those units, 66 will be designated as affordable housing for residents aged 55 and older.
Housing for Seniors and Special Needs Residents
The project will include 20 units supported by project-based vouchers for fixed-income residents.
An additional five apartments will be reserved for people living with HIV/AIDS who require additional support services through federal housing programs.
City officials said the project will help address the growing need for affordable housing among Charleston’s aging population.
Neighbors Raise Flooding Concerns
Some nearby residents have expressed concerns about stormwater drainage and the potential for increased flooding in the area.
Residents say the neighborhood is already prone to flooding and want assurances that water runoff from the new development will be properly managed.
City officials said stormwater management is a key part of the approval process and will be addressed during construction planning.
Construction Timeline
Officials expect construction to begin within the next few months, with the project scheduled for completion in 2027.
The development will also contribute toward Charleston’s goal of adding 3,500 new housing units by 2032.
