In a city historically dominated by renters, North Charleston, South Carolina has a new plan to help low-income residents get their share of the American Dream. Three Oaks Development, one of the city's four public housing complexes, officially became Oakleaf Estates earlier this autumn - a community of homeowners.

During a public ceremony in the community of brick, one-story bungalows, officials outlined the ambitious plan to sell the homes to residents using grants and low-interest loans. "A lot of the families desire to be homeowners, but given their income status of $10,000 or $15,000, there is no way they would normally qualify," said George Saldana, executive director of the housing authority. "We are helping them with their dreams."

The 68-unit complex, built in 1985 off Northside Drive, has undergone a $2 million metamorphosis. For months, crews had been ripping out appliances, cabinets, toilets and bathtubs, replacing them with state-of-the-art materials. The used appliances are being donated to Liberia, which has wrestled with poverty and civil war for more than two decades. Both Christians and Muslims in the Charleston area have been involved in the effort to assist that West African nation.

The new homeowners will have a silent second mortgage placed on their property to prevent them from renting the home or selling it for a profit for at least 15 or 20 years. Residents of other North Charleston public housing complexes can buy the homes that current Three Oaks residents do not buy. Three Oaks residents who don't buy their homes will be relocated. David LaRoe, a project coordinator with The Communities Group, said about 15 residents already have begun the home-buying process. LaRoe's Washington-based organization is helping North Charleston improve its public housing complexes. "With homeownership, there is better upkeep, and residents take more pride in their homes," LaRoe said. "Residents also have something to pass along to their heirs. That way, kids don't grow up with the 'project' mentality."

All told, each unit - complete with new carpet, ceiling fans and bathroom and kitchen facilities - cost about $30,000 to fix up. About half of the units have been refurbished, with the remaining 34 scheduled for completion sometime after the first of the year. To help residents with the down payment, the housing authority received a $300,000 grant from the S.C. Housing Finance Corp. Officials are working with local banks and lending institutions to finance mortgages.

Mayor Keith Summey, who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, welcomed the completion of the Three Oaks renovation as a way to boost homeownership in North Charleston. According to U.S. Census figures, the number of owner-occupied homes in North Charleston increased from 8,810 in 1990 to 13,821 in 2000, a 56.9 percent increase. Renter-occupied homes increased by 8.7 percent, from 14,689 in 1990 to 15,962 in 2000. "Your more stable communities are those that are majority owner-occupied," Summey said.

Other renovations are taking place in North Charleston's public housing complexes, including North Park Village's $30 million grant award last fall aimed at redoing the World War II era complex. Plans for North Park, the state's largest housing project, call for demolishing more than 500 units over the next four years, building 457 new units on site and 530 units in surrounding areas.

The city also is doing renovations and a cosmetic facelift to the Liberty Hill complex on the southern end of the city and Buskirk, a senior Care center off Remount Road. "You are seeing a new North Charleston Housing Authority evolve from this," said Sandra Kite, a board member who credits Saldana with leading the charge. "Instead of public housing being a dead end, we are hoping it will be a stepping stone to self-sufficiency." No one understands that better than Albertha Hamilton, the neighborhood association president for Three Oaks. "It looks like a whole new house," said the mother of three.

 Back to Top  

Help a Neighbor in Need at HUD's Holiday Party, Friday at 9:30 AM. HUD Washington, DC-area employees: see HUD@Work for more details.