Beaufort low-income housing exec resigns after closed-door board meeting
Julie Davis has resigned as the executive director of the Beaufort Housing Authority, the federally subsidized agency providing low-income housing across the county. Her departure follows a closed-door meeting by BHA’s seven-member board in September to discuss legal matters related to Davis’ job.
It also comes as the agency is about to embark on an overhaul of two public housing complexes in Beaufort and Hilton Head.
At a meeting Tuesday night, the board, following an executive session, agreed to temporarily work with the Charleston Housing Authority during the transition, said Ethan James, the board chairman. It also plans to hire an interim executive director.
Beaufort-based BHA, formed in 1968, manages 293 federally subsidized public housing units at seven sites in Beaufort County for low- and moderate-income families and individuals. The largest sites are in Beaufort, Port Royal, Hilton Head and Yemassee. It also provides housing assistance to another 647 units. Its funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority.
Davis was hired in April 2024. The board accepted her resignation last week, according to a BHA news release, which said she wanted to move to spend more time with her family.
The release said the separation was “amicable” with Davis remaining available in an advisory capacity to assist with the transition through the end of the year.
“The Board would like to thank Ms. Davis for her service and her commitment to BHA’s mission,” James said.
James and Davis declined to provide details on the circumstances that led to her departure or whether a financial settlement was involved.
On Sept. 23, the board closed its meeting to the public to discuss “personnel and legal matters related to the executive director.” A second agenda item during that executive session was “settlement of pending, threatened or potential legal claim.” The second item does not clarify whether it was related to Davis, but the board accepted her resignation Oct. 1.
Davis’ last day on the job is Wednesday.
“It was time for me to move on,” Davis told the Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet Monday on the parting of ways. “I’ve enjoyed serving the Beaufort community.”
James, the board chairman, will temporarily oversee day-to-day operations.
“The Housing Authority is in a really good place at the moment,” James told the Gazette and Packet. “We have a strong transition plan from the current executive director who has resigned.”
A major project the BHA is working on involves demolishing and reconstructing new and additional units at the 30-unit Marsh Pointe in Beaufort and the 80-unit Sandalwood Terrace on Hilton Head. It’s partnering with Connelly Builders Inc. on that work.
Before joining BHA, Davis said, she worked for the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority.
The salary range for the executive director is listed at $100,000 to $150,000 and possibly more depending on education and experience.
This story was originally published October 7, 2025 at 11:37 AM.
