Mount Pleasant Magazine 6.4

78 / 154

78 | |
Because of that 30-percent benchmark, two things are
immediately evident. One is that it’s not likely any afford-
able housing will be going up in, say, Beverly Hills or Palm
Beach. The other is that, based on income levels East of
the Cooper, any afford-
able housing would have
to command a pretty sig-
nificant rent or mortgage
payment.
Right now, the town
of Mount Pleasant is
engaged in a study of the
prospect of new housing
being constructed that
would meet that 30-per-
cent-or-less benchmark,
thereby offering workers
with moderate incomes
– those on the payrolls of
the town, local hospitals
and hotels and restaurants come immediately to mind –
the opportunity to live where they make their living.
Established in March, the task force will be studying the
affordable housing issue while consulting with stakeholders
ranging from Mayor Linda Page and members of the Town
Council to developers large and small – and, of course, the
general public. A comprehensive report is expected from
the task force by the end
of this year.
Heading the afford-
able housing study is a
familiar face to town resi-
dents. Thomasena Stokes-
Marshall was a Council
member for 17 years and
was the first and only
African-American to be
elected to that body.
In a recent interview,
she emphasized that
“Mount Pleasant is not
in the housing business.”
The focus of the task
force will not be on funding affordable housing. Instead,
members will examine the issue in the context of Mount
Pleasant and making recommendations as to whether afford-
1015 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 .
Furniture. Accessories. One of a Kinds.