• The need for affordable and workforce housing exceeds 7,300,000 in the U.S. Single family home pricing has eliminated many low to moderate income families from purchasing a home.
• Lack of single-family home opportunities has increased the demand on apartments with rental prices reaching record highs.
• The pandemic, rising interest rates, supply chain issues, and construction costs have contributed to slower production.
• Potential federal increases in available tax credits may be on the horizon, however, the state and local resources will be expected to solve the issue of housing.

The Beaufort-Jasper Housing Trust, Inc. is delighted to share our Inaugural Annual Report. We take great pride in the strides we’ve made and are excited about the promising future that lies ahead.

We are grateful for the ongoing support and remain committed to working alongside our partners to create and preserve affordable and workforce housing in Beaufort and Jasper Counties.

• Events Attended This Month
• Lowcountry Affordable Housing Coalition Symposium Planning Meeting
• 2025 QAP Roundtable Discussion with SC Housing, Columbia SC
• PRICE public hearing with SC Housing
• Beaufort County Council – Community Services and Land Use Committee Meeting and Finance Committee Meeting
• Coastal Community Foundation Listening Session

The partnership among the Beaufort Jasper Housing Trust (BJHT), Beaufort County, and the Coastal Community Development Corporation (CCDC) is now in progress. BJHT will provide funds to CCDC to develop workforce housing for the service industry in southern Beaufort County. The Trust is eager to collaborate with CCDC and support their innovative strategies to address workforce housing challenges in and around Hilton Head Island. CCDC aims to preserve local workforce housing by acquiring existing homes in the region and renting them to
local workers at rates based on household income.

• Other Events Attended This Month
• Lowcountry Affordable Housing Coalition Meeting
• Federal Home Loan Bank Atlanta Meeting
• Coastal Community Foundation and the region Post & Courier Panel Discussion
• Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Reception

As a dedicated advocate for affordable housing, Claude Hicks has dedicated the lion’s share of his professional journey to the development, construction, preservation, and acquisition of affordable housing. With a steadfast commitment to ensuring families and seniors have access to safe and affordable homes, Claude’s impact has been felt across a vast 10-state footprint, primarily in the mid-Atlantic and southeast regions of the United States.

Throughout his career, Claude has been instrumental in leading the development of over 250 affordable communities, contributing to the creation of more than 15,000 housing units. His endeavors have not only transformed communities but have also generated an impressive $1 billion in syndication equity, illustrating his proficiency in both social impact and financial acumen. Born into a family with deep roots outside Charleston, South Carolina, Claude draws inspiration from his upbringing. He is a proud graduate of Southern Illinois University and Victor Valley College. Claude served his country as a distinguished veteran of the United States Air Force.

Claude shares a loving partnership with his wife, Shawn, and together they nurture a family of five children. Additionally, Claude and Shawn’s compassionate spirit extends to their furry family members, as they care for three special needs dogs. Claude Hicks’s professional accomplishments and personal values intertwine seamlessly, reflecting a profound dedication to making a lasting difference in the lives of others, one affordable home at a time.