Humanities Foundation Announces Completion of Environmentally Sustainable Housing on Daniel Island 

A dedication ceremony will held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010, for Seven Farms Village, a 42-unit affordable community for senior citizens on Daniel Island. The new development is near the Foundation’s existing Seven Farms Apartments.

Seven Farms Village is one of two apartment communities for seniors the Foundation is building in the Charleston area. The second development, the 72-unit Grandview Apartments on Magwood Road, adjacent to the Foundation’s existing Grand Oak Apartments in West Ashley, is expected to open February 2011.

The developments will be very energy efficient and environmentally sustainable. A Foundation staff member, who is an accredited professional by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, has worked closely with a regional LEED consultant on the inclusion of energy-efficient doors, windows, kitchen appliances and plumbing fixtures. Seven Farms Village anticipates being the highest ranking LEED For Homes Gold Certified multi-family development in the Carolinas. The project’s contractor is Connelly Builders, and the architect is Palmetto Design Group.

Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. will give the keynote address. “The City of Charleston is proud to support the Humanities Foundation in their continuing effort to provide well-designed, safe, decent and affordable housing for senior residents in our community,” Riley said. “We commend the Humanities Foundation for their tireless efforts to provide housing and are especially proud of this development as Humanities Foundation seeks LEED Gold Certification in the construction and design of this property.”

Foundation President Tracy Doran said, “We are thrilled to provide top-quality sustainable affordable housing in an infill location that will allow our residents to fit seamlessly into the fabric of this vibrant community.”

The two developments, which total more than $14 million in development cost, have received more than $3.5 million in Tax Credit Assistance Program (TCAP) funding. The TCAP program is administered by the South Carolina State Housing, Finance and Development Authority and was financed through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, enacted by Congress to create jobs and promote investment.

Other funding sources for Seven Farms Village include the South Carolina State Housing Tax Credit Program, the City of Charleston HOME Program, the Housing Authority of the City of Charleston, Lowcountry Housing Trust, Bank of America and the Richman Group.

Since 1992, the Foundation has constructed more than 1,200 apartment units to meet the growing need for affordable housing. The developments have added more than $125 million in new construction to the economies of South Carolina and Virginia.

The Foundation has expanded its development efforts into Virginia with plans to provide energy-efficient apartments at two sites in the Shenandoah Valley by the end of next year. Construction of Waterford Village in Staunton, Va., which began earlier this summer, is expected to be completed by April 2011. This winter, work is expected to begin on Montague Terrace in Augusta County, Va. Montague Terrace is slated for completion in late 2012.

 Construction also is expected to start this winter on Regent Park Apartments, a 72-unit family development in Columbia, S.C. This project, combined with the Virginia developments, comprise a total cost of approximately $31 million.

For more information contact Tracy Doran, 843-284-5150.