Developers Secured Support for Affordable Housing, Revealed to the Neighborhood
When news broke that developers were planning to build 60 subsidized apartments in an affluent corner of Florence, S.C., the initial reaction from the chairman of the County Council was one of enthusiasm. He recognized the need for affordable housing and saw the project as a way to provide a valuable service to the community. However, as soon as the neighbors caught wind of the plans, a different sentiment emerged.
Lawyers, executives, and civic leaders gathered at the prestigious Florence Country Club, just a half-mile away from the proposed development, and made a collective vow to block it. Their opposition was swift and powerful. Nine days later, in a meeting that lasted a mere three minutes and 14 seconds, the Council rezoned the site, effectively killing the project. The chairman, who had previously praised the initiative, led the charge against it.
This sudden reversal by the Council has sparked a fair housing lawsuit, as the majority of prospective tenants for the affordable housing were Black in a neighborhood predominantly occupied by white residents. It has also shed light on the underlying forces that contribute to keeping low-income families from accessing opportunity-rich neighborhoods.
In many affluent communities across the country, existing land-use rules would have automatically prohibited the construction of low-income housing. These regulations often operate stealthily, hiding the full extent of exclusionary practices. However, a unique characteristic of Florence County’s zoning code allowed for subsidized apartments, exposing the opposition to affordable housing in a way that is not typically visible.
Jessica Trounstine, a political scientist at Vanderbilt University who specializes in housing regulation, highlights the significance of this case. She explains, “What’s unusual here is that we see an exercise of political power that is typically invisible. It makes the opposition to affordable housing clearer than it often is.”
The shortage of affordable housing is not confined to Florence or any specific region but is a nationwide crisis affecting families with modest incomes. A staggering two-thirds of low-income renters now face “severe cost burdens,” meaning they spend over 50% of their income on rent and utilities. The federal government’s definition of affordable housing is when shelter costs account for 30% or less of a household’s income.
This case in Florence County serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by low-income families in finding suitable housing. It exposes how existing regulations and opposition from affluent communities can perpetuate inequalities and deny opportunities to those who need them most.
The fair housing lawsuit resulting from this incident will hopefully shed further light on the systemic barriers that prevent affordable housing from being developed in affluent neighborhoods. It is essential to address these issues and work towards creating inclusive communities that provide equal opportunities for all residents, regardless of their income level.
As the nation grapples with the affordable housing crisis, it is crucial to continue pushing for policies that promote access to quality housing for all. Only by addressing these systemic issues can we hope to create a more equitable society where everyone has a fair shot at success and prosperity.
