CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) – An affordable multi-unit housing complex in downtown Charleston will be presented to the Board of Architectural Review on Wednesday for approval of the proposed concept.

The City of Charleston Housing Authority said an 85-unit complex will be built on Huger Street in place of what is currently a 12-unit affordable housing complex.

Renderings of the proposed plan will need to be approved by the Board of Architectural Review for the project to proceed.

Housing Authority development director Peter Sherman said the project, located near the corner of Huger St. and Meeting St., includes a four-story building with an open-air atrium and plenty of parking for residents.

“It’s divided in the middle by a long hallway with a mix of brick and Hardie planks,” he said. “It should accommodate 80 to 85 parking spaces, which is pretty key for a project like this in this neighborhood. We shoot for 85 units. Hopefully we’ll get there, but it depends on the final design.

Housing Authority CEO Art Milligan says this project is one of many they are working on to renovate, rebuild and modernize all of their affordable housing complexes across town.

“Meeting Street Manor, Gadsden Green, every property we have that we walk through and assess and see what the best opportunity is to provide the best affordable housing for our residents and then add housing for other low-cost residents. income, ”he said. “We’re going to go over and bring the units up to today’s standards, and I think you’re going to see that it’s going to change the landscape a bit when it comes to affordable housing.”

The Housing Authority says this effort to modernize and expand affordable housing in the city – through public-private partnerships – is being done through a process called Rental Assistance Demonstration, which is a federal program of the US Department of Housing and of Urban Development.

Housing officials say that before work on their properties begins, they provide relocation assistance for tenants and ensure that their rent does not change after work on the housing complex is completed. Current residents also have the first choice to return to the property.

In a statement, Housing Authority officials said they were “open and accessible to anyone with questions and concerns about ARD and these efforts.” Dedicated staff are available to explain the process, tenant rights and more.

Those with questions can contact the Housing Office at 843-720-3683.

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