Council approves Aiken Housing Authority surplus‑property sale resolution as residents press homelessness concerns

The Aiken City Council approved a resolution authorizing the Aiken Housing Authority to sell certain surplus real property and use net proceeds to reinvest in Han Village. Staff said the action is authorized under state law (transcript cited South Carolina Code section 31‑3‑500) and noted the authority must secure required approvals from HUD and meet statutory conditions before proceeding.

"The Aiken Housing Authority is an autonomous body that has board members appointed by the city council," staff said, and provided the signed declaration of surplus property and a legal description; staff also said they delayed bringing the resolution until the legislative delegation could meet with the housing authority and have their questions answered.

Councilwoman Price moved and Councilwoman Diggs seconded the resolution, which the council approved by voice vote.

Several public commenters used the public‑comment period to press council and staff on homelessness and housing needs. Mary Anton, chair of the Aiken County Homeless Coalition, cited local survey data and said about 46% of city households lack enough income to cover basic household budgets (an estimate she said equates to roughly 6,400 households, with about 2,500 below the federal poverty level). "Solutions to our increasing homeless problem require a collaborative, multi sector approach," Anton said, urging the city to gather data and plan.

Lex Perry, representing c4 Impact, described a multi‑phase housing approach (on‑ramp, bridge, landing) and said six individuals have moved into houses through the program's second phase; he and others emphasized that emergency shelters are insufficient as a long‑term solution.

Staff told council the housing authority had met with the delegation, that the delegation’s questions had been answered to their satisfaction, and that the resolution before council authorizes the authority to proceed with the surplus sale subject to federal approvals.

The council approved the resolution authorizing the city to acknowledge and permit the Aiken Housing Authority's surplus‑property sale process; staff said net proceeds are intended to fund reinvestment in Han Village.