Charleston County Council is set to vote on the Cordelia on the Rivers project, a key step in tackling the region’s housing shortage through tax incentives. This 129-unit, four-story apartment complex in North Charleston reserves 53 units—41% of the total—for families earning 60-80% of the area’s median income, exceeding the program’s 10% affordability minimum.
Program Incentives
Under the Universal Tax Exemption Program, developers receive 15-year tax breaks to build multi-family rentals, with properties reevaluated afterward. This marks the first project to achieve such high affordability levels county-wide.
Strategic Location
Its proximity to the planned bus rapid transit line enhances access for residents without cars, as noted by Housing Director Eric Davis. This supports “wrap-around services” for lower-income tenants.
Broader Impact
Cordelia on the Rivers launches the “Housing our Future” initiative, targeting 29,000-36,000 new units by 2030 amid rising demand. Increasing supply aims to ease rental costs across income levels. The council meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, followed by North Charleston’s final approval.
