Charleston Mayor William Cogswell is spearheading a bold initiative to address homelessness in the region through the creation of a temporary tiny home community. His plan, known as the Lowcountry Rapid Housing Initiative, proposes building 118 tiny homes on city-owned land near Harmon Street in downtown Charleston. The project aims to provide unhoused men with a safe place to stay for up to 90 days while they transition toward more permanent solutions.
“We’re looking at a rapid housing solution,” Cogswell stated, emphasizing the need to act swiftly in the face of a persistent housing crisis. His vision for tiny homes—compact units that include just a bed, table, and air conditioning—presents a low-cost, immediate response to homelessness. However, the plan comes with a hefty price tag: over $5 million for the first year, followed by $1.5 million in annual operating costs. Mayor Cogswell is seeking regional cooperation to fund and implement this initiative.
A Call for Collective Action
On Tuesday, Cogswell presented his proposal to an audience of community leaders from surrounding cities, counties, and towns, asking for their support. He stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “The need for rapid housing in our community is something we can all agree is long overdue.”