Charleston Mayor Proposes Tiny Homes for Unhoused Men, Calls for Regional Support

Photo byJason Tighe

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.”

The initiative’s success depends on regional collaboration, and Cogswell made it clear that input from neighboring municipalities is not only welcome but essential. “The question will be, are we all in or not?” he challenged the audience.

Concerns and Open Dialogue

Despite general agreement on the necessity of action, the proposal raised questions. Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie voiced concerns about how the program would address behavioral issues among residents. “What we don’t know yet is under what conditions someone can stay there and what conditions could lead to someone being removed,” Haynie remarked, highlighting the complexities involved in managing the temporary housing.

Other attendees questioned the focus on men, asking why women and children were not included in the initial phase of the plan. Some called the initiative a "band-aid" solution, expressing skepticism about its long-term effectiveness.

While acknowledging that the plan may not be a cure-all, Mayor Cogswell remained firm in his belief that action is necessary, even if imperfect. “There’s no silver bullet for this,” he admitted. “But doing something now, even if it’s not the ultimate solution, is better than doing nothing at all.”

A Shared Responsibility

The Lowcountry Rapid Housing Initiative marks an ambitious step toward addressing homelessness in Charleston, but it hinges on regional buy-in. Mayor Cogswell’s vision, though met with questions and concerns, presents a starting point for a broader conversation about collaborative solutions. As local leaders examine the details, one thing is clear: the community must work together to tackle the crisis head-on.