Affordable Housing Initiative for Educators
The Fairfield County Education Foundation has introduced nine new homes designed specifically for local teachers, aimed at easing financial burdens amidst rising housing costs in South Carolina.
A New Beginning for Teachers
In Fairfield County, S.C., a fresh opportunity is unfolding for educators as they find a place to call home. On Friday, the Education Foundation unveiled these newly completed residences at The Village for Fairfield Teachers, a project dedicated to providing affordable, quality housing options.
Community Tour and Future Aspirations
School board trustees joined future residents in touring the development, highlighting ongoing efforts to support the teaching community. Dominique Outler, a University of South Carolina senior and one of the new tenants, expressed her appreciation for this initiative.
“I really wanted an environment where I had a stepping stool into the actual workplace,” Outler said.
Outler aims to become a middle school teacher in the Fairfield County School District. She believes the Village initiative can lead to broader change.
“This program, the Village of Winnsboro, is directly impacting all of the things that I want to change moving forward in the future and I think that this could be a system or program utilized everywhere,” she said.
Financial Relief for Current Employees
Current teachers, such as Jalissa Wright and Kerisha McDuffie, also shared their experiences with the program. For them, the availability of affordable housing has significantly reduced financial stress.
“Right now during this time housing is not as affordable as we would like,” Wright said. “It just takes one of the stresses off because teaching is one of those jobs that take a lot out of you and a mental load.”
McDuffie added her perspective on the transition to the new housing.
“Out of the first set of housing I was last to move in and it was a smooth transition and I was in an apartment before and the rent was double of what I was paying for a one bedroom apartment.”
Partnership for Progress
This development is a collaborative effort between the Education Foundation and the Fairfield County Community Development Center. It not only aids educators but also boosts the local economy.
“First, it addresses one of our critical infrastructure gaps which is housing by increasing the availability of affordable housing especially for our workforce while supporting business retention and talent attraction,” said Devarius McDonald, project manager of economic development.
