The Humanities Foundation faced opposition several years ago while building the first low-income housing on Daniel Island, but a plan to build 42 apartments for seniors on the same site appears to be attracting cautious support.

The existing complex of 72 apartments for low-income families was opposed in 2005 by some Daniel Island residents and their community association, who said that low-income housing should be mixed with market-rate housing. Opponents said a complex of low-income apartments could concentrate social problems and stigmatize the residents.

"There was some negativity at first, but the community has really embraced them (the Seven Farms Apartments)," said Tracy Doran, president of the Humanities Foundation, whose offices are nearby on the same street.

While the plan to expand the apartment complex could raise the same concerns that arose in 2005 about clustering low-income housing in one location, Daniel Island Neighborhood Association President Stacey Lindbergh said she hasn't heard about any problems related to Seven Farms Apartments.

The complex was completed at the end of 2006.

"It's very well-maintained, and I haven't heard any concerns about it," Lindbergh said. "I've met with the manager there and told them to let the residents know they are welcome to attend our meetings and join DINA."

The apartment complex is centrally located on Daniel Island's main street, near schools and most island businesses. The new apartments for low-income senior citizens would be built on a vacant lot behind the existing complex.

Most of the units will be available to people at least 65 years old who earn no more than 60 percent of the area median income. That's an income cap of $25,320 for a single person.

The Humanities Foundation, a nonprofit builder of affordable housing, also plans to build a 72-unit apartment building for low-income seniors in West Ashley on Magwood Road, near the existing Grand Oak Apartments, which the foundation built nine years ago.

While detailed plans haven't been presented for either apartment building, Doran said she learned last week that the foundation was successful in winning approval for tax credit financing from the state for both plans.

Tax credit financing is a common way of funding large subsidized housing developments. Banks typically buy the tax credits at a discount to face value, and the money gained from selling the credits is used to finance construction.

For the Daniel Island apartments, the Humanities Foundation also is seeking $318,081 in federal funds from the city of Charleston.

The funding had been scheduled for a vote last week, but Councilman Gary White from Daniel Island asked that it be postponed so that DINA could meet with the Humanities Foundation first to learn more about the project.

"I haven't really had anyone say they are in opposition to it, and that may be because it is a senior citizens' facility," White said. "I don't know that it's going to be controversial. Hopefully it won't be."

Reach David Slade at 937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com.