As part of Mayor William Cogswell’s Project 3500 affordable housing initiative, the City of Charleston is launching a new interactive dashboard on its website, giving residents the opportunity to learn more about the project and the city’s long-term strategy for housing in our region.
Residents are encouraged to explore the new dashboard to learn:
- The City’s progress toward the 3,500-unit goal
- Where new housing will be located
- Design concepts and architectural mockups
- Site selection criteria
- The data and analysis guiding the initiative
Background:
Project 3500 is a bold initiative led by Mayor Cogswell to address the growing affordability crisis in Charleston. The goal is to deliver 3,500 net new affordable housing units across the city by 2032. This effort is driven through a strategic partnership between the City of Charleston and major public-private organizations. It is anticipated that the Charleston Housing Authority will be a major contributor to this initiative.
Following more than a year of collaboration with Bloomberg Associates, which conducted a comprehensive assessment of Charleston’s housing market, the City leveraged their national expertise and data-driven recommendations to help shape and guide the Project 3500 strategy.
The initiative will utilize new development sites while also redeveloping existing properties. Discussions are underway with the Housing Authority to explore ways to align current projects with the Mayor’s plan. Project 3500 follows a “build first” approach, meaning new housing will be constructed before older units are redeveloped, ensuring no residents are displaced during construction.
New zoning approved this month by the Planning Commission ensures that Project 3500 developments will be mixed-income communities, combining market-rate housing with workforce housing across multiple income levels. All affordable units will remain permanently affordable.
It is also designed specifically for Charleston, with housing that reflects the city’s historic character—focusing on Charleston-inspired architecture, walkable blocks, and thoughtfully integrated communities, rather than large-scale apartment complexes.
This dashboard reinforces the City of Charleston’s commitment to transparency, data-driven decision-making, and ensures Charleston remains a city where people of all income levels can live and thrive.
Find the Project 3500 Affordable Housing Dashboard here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/