Approval granted by town council for budget-friendly housing for employees near the new Bluffton hospital
Affordable Housing Project for Healthcare Workers Moves Forward in Bluffton
The LiveWell Terrace project, a proposed development aimed at providing affordable workforce housing for healthcare workers, has taken a significant step forward in its approval process. The Bluffton Town Council approved the project proposal for 120 units on July 15, 2025, with a second reading and final approval anticipated in mid-August.
According to town spokeswoman Debbie Szpanka, the community at large has shown support for building workforce housing units. The project, located within the Buckwalter Planned Unit Development, will consist of 30 one-bedroom units, 60 two-bedroom units, and 30 three-bedroom units. Rents for the units will range from $570 to $1,720 per month, depending on size.
The Bluffton Memorial Hospital is partnering with Ohio-based affordable housing firm Woda Cooper Companies for this development. While the specifics of the partnership have not been detailed publicly, it is clear that the project is a collaborative effort to address local workforce housing needs.
The LiveWell Terrace project will also include a 6,000-square-foot medical office space for a new Beaufort Memorial primary care practice and therapy services. The units will be open to any tenant based on income qualifications, with a limit of 80% of the current Area Median Income, or a household income of $88,100 or less for a family of four.
The project received approval for amendments to the master plans for the Buckwalter Planned Unit Development's development agreement and concept plan. Council member Fred Hamilton, chair of Bluffton's affordable housing committee, has been an advocate for affordable housing for years.
The LiveWell Terrace units will be located up the street from the under-construction Beaufort Memorial Bluffton Community Hospital campus. The public hearing for the project was held at the July 23 planning commission meeting, and the measures for the project were approved unanimously by the town council on Tuesday night.
As the town grows, the need for affordable housing increases, reflecting a national trend. Szpanka mentioned that the attitude towards affordable housing has shifted from "not in my backyard" to "how do we join hands and correct this." Representatives from Beaufort Memorial and the town did not immediately respond to requests for more information.
The 120 units will be part of the LiveWell Terrace by BMH project, located at 333 and 335 Buckwalter Parkway. The LiveWell Terrace project is a significant step towards addressing the housing needs of healthcare workers and contributing to the overall growth and development of Bluffton.
Investing in the LiveWell Terrace project, a collaboration between Bluffton Memorial Hospital and Woda Cooper Companies, offers an opportunity in the real-estate sector, with 120 units of affordable workforce housing for healthcare workers in the Bluffton area. The project, including a medical office space and therapy services, caters to the growing demand for affordable housing in Bluffton, reflecting a national trend and aligning with the town's ongoing finance and development initiatives.
