Charleston, South Carolina – A huge affordable housing construction on Huger Street received final approval last week, following years of changes and dispute.
“This is a significant milestone for Charleston and the many residents who deserve safe, affordable homes within our city limits,” said Peter Sherman, Charleston Housing Authority’s director of development.
“While the process of getting approval for construction can be lengthy and complex, we appreciate the Board of Architectural Review for their thoughtful consideration and collaboration throughout this process,” Mr. Sherman stated. “This project demonstrates how thoughtful design and affordability can coexist to strengthen our neighborhoods.”
See a snapshot of the approved rendering below.
If the city’s Board of Architectural Review approves the design, 77 new affordable flats will be built at 275 Huger Street, replacing 12 existing apartments.
The project costs more than $31 million. Charleston County contributes $1.75 million to the American Rescue Plan, while the City of Charleston contributes $5 million. The remaining will be financed primarily through bonds.
The Charleston Housing Authority first proposed the idea in 2020, claiming that redeveloping the two-acre property will benefit residents more.
Mayor William Cogswell stated earlier this year that affordable housing remained one of Charleston’s most pressing requirements. He stated that the Huger Street location is appropriate because of its proximity to public transportation and job centers, making it easy for inhabitants to commute and access daily supplies.
Construction was originally scheduled to begin in early 2025, but the timeframe moved after a setback in May, when Cogswell stated that the developer submitted a “totally different plan” from the one originally approved for finance.
At the time, Cogswell stated that he informed developers that the deal was to fund the earlier design. He stated that he wanted to ensure that whatever is developed there will be something that everyone can be proud of.
The board rejected that version. On Wednesday, updated designs were presented for review.
Matthew Davis, president of Davis Architecture, stated that he has worked extensively with local officials to ensure that all parties’ requirements are met.
“The housing authority for the city of Charleston, they have been great to work with,” Davis told the crowd. “We began working with them to ensure that we met the demands of the families who would live in the facility. But we also needed to meet their administrative requirements because they’ll have management offices, leasing offices, and a wonderful resident communal area that I believe the residents would like.”
He stated that the collaboration over the previous several years has helped to develop the design so that it better meets the needs of both the city and future citizens.
“There’s a lot of steps. Each step informs the subsequent one. When comparing the building we showed at our first conceptual review to what we currently have, we were able to not only answer to the board’s recommendations, but also improve the spaces, layouts, and flow of the building to make it a terrific location for residents to call home.
The Huger Street Project is part of Charleston’s larger plan of constructing 3,500 affordable housing units by 2030 to keep up with expansion and rising housing costs.
Following the clearance, developers stated that they expect to begin construction in early 2026, assuming permissions are approved.
“This project reflects our mission to create housing opportunities that are both beautiful and accessible,” Art Milligan Jr., CEO of the housing authority, stated. “It’s a win for the city, for our residents and for the future of Charleston.”
Units are planned to become accessible as early as 2027.
