Land Acquisition Grant for Affordable Housing

The Land Acquisition Grant for Affordable Housing is a local funding program administered by the Charleston Redevelopment Corporation on behalf of Charleston County, South Carolina. It is part of the county’s broader community development and revitalization efforts aimed at expanding the availability of affordable housing through targeted support to organizations involved in property acquisition for housing development. The initiative aligns with Charleston County’s strategic housing priorities, which focus on creating sustainable, equitable communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, housing authorities, and development entities. The grant is designed to assist eligible applicants with the purchase of land intended for the construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing units. Funding is directed toward closing financial gaps in land acquisition costs, helping qualified organizations secure property that can be developed into affordable residences for low- and moderate-income households. The program operates within Charleston County boundaries and supports both single-family and multi-family developments that advance long-term affordability goals and community revitalization outcomes. Funds from this program are intended exclusively for land acquisition and related eligible costs, such as site preparation and due diligence expenses necessary to secure property for affordable housing. The grant cannot be used for vertical construction, infrastructure improvements not directly tied to the parcel purchase, or non-residential purposes. The amount awarded varies based on project scope, available funding, and demonstrated community benefit. Matching funds are not explicitly required, but applicants are encouraged to leverage other financing sources to enhance impact and sustainability. Eligible applicants typically include nonprofit housing developers, community housing development organizations, public housing authorities, and other entities with a mission or track record in affordable housing delivery. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity, financial soundness, and compliance with applicable local and federal housing standards. All projects must occur within Charleston County and contribute to the county’s affordable housing inventory, with preference given to proposals that serve residents earning below the area median income. Applications are currently being accepted through the Charleston Redevelopment Corporation. Interested applicants may submit proposals through the county’s online portal linked on the program’s webpage. The process generally requires submission of an application form, project narrative, proof of site control or acquisition intent, and supporting documentation related to project feasibility. Program inquiries may be directed to Project Administrator Rodia Baxter at (803) 447-7237 or via email at Administrator@CharlestonRedevelopment.org. General questions regarding county programs may be sent to PublicInfo@CharlestonCounty.org. As a rolling opportunity, applications are reviewed on a continuing basis subject to funding availability.