North Charleston’s new housing coordinator role addresses the city’s urgent housing shortage by directly aiding residents in finding available units. Mayor Reggie Burgess emphasized moving people from streets and unsafe homes into buildings, highlighting the crisis’s scale.
Role Details
Karen Thrower, recently hired as the first housing coordinator, connects low-income families, seniors, and homeless individuals to developers and resources. She guides applicants through paperwork, resolves eligibility hurdles, and links people to overlooked nonprofits, tackling confusion over “where to start.”[web:context]
Housing Demand
The North Charleston Housing Authority manages 600 units but faces a waitlist of nearly 4,500 for one- and two-bedroom apartments. Thrower prioritizes filling vacancies quickly to house families faster, though leaders note it won’t fix the shortage immediately.
