Housing program lifts needy residents from 'third-world'conditions

But despite the influx of new wealth that accompanies that growth, many long-time residents live in conditions that might be described as "third world."

Even on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton, some residents live in unsafe mobile homes without indoor bathrooms. Many are senior citizens and can't afford to live any other way.

With the help of the Mount Pleasant-based United Methodist Relief Center -- as well as local governments and churches -- those conditions could change for three needy people in Beaufort County.

The Elderly Transportable House program, started in 1999, provides new houses on mobile frames to the needy. As the name indicates, the homes can be moved easily. The homes normally are placed on land the recipient's family wns.

The homes are rent-free but are owned by the center. When an occupant passes away or no longer can live alone, the home is refurbished and moved to help someone else.

Each home, which has either one or two bedrooms, is air-conditioned.

Each has a bathroom, living room, kitchen and washer and dryer. All are completely furnished.

The homes have characteristic Lowcountry front porches and are built to the same specifications as single-family residences.

The center is organizing an effort to bring three more of the homes to Beaufort County, said Pat Goss, the group's executive director.

Beaufort County and the Lowcountry Council of Governments have set aside a total of about $100,000 to help cover the costs of building and transporting the 500 square-foot units.

The homes -- which cost about $30,000 each to build -- will be constructed by local volunteers.

The three new homes aren't the first of their kind to come to the area.

The First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head Island built one of the homes for a 95-year-old Burton woman, said Charles Duvall, a retired doctor who led the six-month effort that ended in March.

"She's (now) living a life of dignity and safety," Duvall said of recipient Rosa Lee Middleton.

First Presbyterian and St. Andrew By-The-Sea Church are in the process of building another home for a Jasper County resident. Both churches gave money to buy construction materials, Duvall said.

But that's not the end of it for the churches.

"The churches will be tapped out financially after" the Jasper County home is complete, Duvall said. "But if we can get the funding, we can provide the sweat equity" for one of the three new homes.

The town of Bluffton might be another group that will build a house.

During an affordable housing meeting last month and during a recent town council meeting, Bluffton officials said they were excited about the prospect of one of the homes serving a Bluffton resident.

"It's going to help one person, but it's better than just sitting here talking about it," council member Lisa Sulka said at the council meeting.

Council member Fred Hamilton, who serves as chairman of the town's affordable housing committee, said the program might serve as an impetus for other affordable housing initiatives around town.

"This might be a driving force to get the town really excited," he said.