BEAUFORT, S.C. () The Beaufort-Jasper Housing Trust was created in 2022 to bring in more cost efficient and workforce housing to the Lowcountry.  

Since its creation, several folks have said little projects have been done, and the need continues to grow.

“The first couple of years has been a lot of getting licensed, getting certified, getting things together,” said J.J. Sauve, the assistant city manager for the City of Beaufort.

Sauve said the program is just getting on its feet. He said the ongoing issue with workforce housing is not a problem local or county municipalities can solve overnight.

“It’s a situation that we’re always playing catch up on because you see that growth coming in and by the time you see it coming in, you see the costs going up.”

But he said the city recognizes that workforce housing is critical now.

“Most of the services, the retirees, and our people that live here full time, as well as our visitors rely on that workforce day in and day out here at the city.”

Sauve said Beaufort relies on tourism to fuel its economy, but they need employees living in the city to keep that industry afloat.

“You don’t want to have to bus in help, whether it’s the hospitality industry, any of our service industries, the commercial industries, you want them to be able to live in the community that they work in, and that has just become unsustainable for a lot of people here in Beaufort,” Sauve said.

Sauve confirmed that the city hasn’t worked directly with the program since its creation, but they’re possibly looking to move forward with the housing trust in the coming months. 

The Beaufort-Jasper Housing Trust will present an updated workforce housing agreement to Beaufort city council on Tuesday, June 10.