b'Workforce Housing ProjectsBeaufort Jasper Housing Trust LaunchedCommunityWorks, in partnership with government municipalities in Beaufort and Jasper counties, have created an affordable housing fund: the Beaufort Jasper Housing Trust, in response to the need for affordable homes throughout the Lowcountry.$3.4 Million was pledged to start the initiative, which launched in January 2023.With the goal of creating new units or rehabilitating exiting units for households at or below 100 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), with a priority of households at 60 percent of the AMI, governing bodies for Beau-fort County, Jasper County, Town of Hilton Head Island, Town of Bluffton, City of Beaufort, Town of Port Royal, City of Hardeeville, Town of Yemassee, and the SOLOCO Regional Board approved resolutions establishing the Beaufort Jasper Housing Trust.Beaufort County Council selected CommunityWorks, a South Carolina statewide Community Development Financial Institution to provide administration and management of the trust fund, which will be a nonprofit entity. Additionally, each governing body has appointed a representative for the Beaufort Jasper Housing Trust.Justice Square Development ProposedIn October 2022, Beaufort County Council approved the sale of Beaufort Coun-ty owned property consisting of two-blocks located on King Street and Wilming-ton Street in the City of Beauforts downtown area. Beaufort County is actively engaged in discussions with the City of Beaufort and Wheeler & Wheeler Properties to propose a two-block residential community aimed at addressing the growing demand for workforce housing and igniting a revitalization effort in the Northwest Quadrant.The Beaufort Housing Study identified critical elements which Justice Square will meet: affordable rental housing, for sale housing to moderate income house-holds, residential development that will appeal to millennials and young profes-sionals, and adaptive reuse of existing vacant structures for residential purposes.Beaufort County to Utilize Accommodations Taxand American Rescue Plan Act Funds toSupport Affordable Housing InitiativesA change in South Carolina state law now allows local governments to use up to15% of accommodations tax money for workforce and affordable housing efforts. Anyhousing initiatives financed with A-tax money must serve people earningbetween 30 and 120 percent of the areas median income. That broadrange includes people with very low to middle incomes.Council members approved a motion on December 11, 2023 to allocate $150,000in state accommodations tax funds toward affordable housing. Beaufort County willutilize these funds, as well as an additional $600,000 in ARPA funds, to support thelocal Beaufort Jasper Housing Trust and the Coastal Community Development Corporation.These programs look to develop affordable housing in unincorporated Beaufort County.'