MCCC Affordable Housing Summit

BENNETTSVILLE—In a landmark event held on August 2, the Marlboro County Coordinating Council Affordable Housing Summit brought together the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), USDA Office of Rural Development, South Carolina Housing Trust Fund, Sumter United Ministries, Marlboro County Administrator, Bennettsville City Administrator, Duke Power, South Carolina Office of Rural Health policymakers, developers, and community leaders to address the escalating housing crisis. The summit, which featured a series of panel discussions, workshops, and keynote speeches, highlighted both the urgent need for action and the innovative solutions emerging in the field.

Led by keynote speaker/moderator, Dr. Robert Lemon, experts emphasized that both public and private sectors must boost funding to meet the growing demand. This includes expanding federal and state budgets dedicated to housing and encouraging private developers to commit to affordable housing projects.

Mike Delev, of Weaver Investment (owns properties in McColl, Dillon, Darlington, Cheraw, Rockingham, and Laurinburg), “I enjoyed hearing and participating with Dr. Lemon, and I was truly impressed by the attendance and the strong focus on the critical issue of affordable housing. It’s quite remarkable to see such a large group united by a singular purpose”.

A recurring theme was the need for regulatory reform. Panelists argued that outdated zoning laws and building codes often impede the development of affordable housing. Simplifying and modernizing these regulations could significantly reduce construction costs and expedite project timelines.

Carmen Hayes-Boyd, Realty Specialist, USDA Rural Development says, “The summit was a chock full of vital and important information to enhance our community and the state’s economic development. I look forward to an invite for your next summit.”

The summit showcased several successful case studies of innovative housing models, such as modular homes and mixed-income developments. These approaches not only offer cost-effective solutions but also promote community integration and sustainability

Addressing the issue of displacement and ensuring that new developments benefit existing communities were highlighted as critical priorities. Participants stressed the importance of policies that protect low-income residents from being pushed out of their neighborhoods by gentrification.

The summit underscored the value of collaborative efforts between governments, non-profits, and the private sector. Successful projects often arise from strong partnerships and shared goals. Increased collaboration can lead to more innovative solutions and efficient use of resource

Lastly, attendees agreed on the importance of developing long-term strategies that not only address immediate needs but also ensure the sustainability of affordable housing solutions. This includes investing in maintenance and management practices that prolong the life of housing assets.

As the summit concluded, there was a shared sense of urgency and optimism. While challenges remain, the collective commitment to finding and implementing effective solutions offers hope for addressing the affordable housing crisis. The next steps involve translating the summit’s insights into actionable policies and continuing the momentum toward creating more inclusive and sustainable housing opportunities for all.

LynnMark Solutions CEO and Event Coordinator, Michael Strong, ”The discussions and feedback we gathered are invaluable as we move forward with our initiatives. As a next step, we will be consolidating the key takeaways and action items from the summit and sharing them with all attendees in the coming weeks. Our goal is to ensure that the momentum we generated translates into meaningful progress and collaborative efforts.”

If you have any further thoughts, suggestions, or questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Representative Henegan or myself. We value your input and look forward to continuing this important conversation with you.

Thank you once again to Representative Henegan, Courtney Watson of South Carolina Office of Rural Health and the Summit Committee members: Tony Clyburn (County Administrator), William Simon (City Administrator), Brittany Jones (City Business Development), Jaharra Graves (City Parks, Recreation and Tourism), Freida Ocean (Marlboro County Schools), Cliff McBride (SC Legal Aid), Daishanna Pearson (Marlboro Economic Development Corp), Nichole Gibson (Welvista), Janice Rozier, Virginia Sanders, Levone Evans, Donny Brock (Trinity Behavioral Health), Joe Bittle (Care South), Jacqueline Anderson (Care South), Ashley Holman (McCLeod Health), Jessica Locklair (DMH(SCDMH), Kevin Brunson (DHEC) and others for your dedication and support. Together, we can make a significant difference in advancing affordable housing solutions for our community.