August 14, 2025

Beaufort Memorial Hospital Launches Workforce Housing Initiative

News Summary

Beaufort Memorial Hospital is set to build 120 affordable housing units in Bluffton to support essential workers facing a housing crisis. Novant Health also plans to construct a 126-unit complex on Hilton Head Island for employees. Both projects aim to enhance recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals amid rising living costs, marking a significant step towards addressing local workforce housing challenges.

Bluffton, South Carolina – Beaufort Memorial Hospital is advancing a significant workforce housing initiative that aims to construct 120 affordable housing units in Bluffton. This project is part of broader efforts to tackle the growing housing crisis affecting essential workers in the area. Concurrently, Novant Health is set to develop a 126-unit complex on Hilton Head Island specifically designed for employees, including healthcare staff, responding to similar challenges.

Russell Baxley, CEO of Beaufort Memorial, highlighted the critical need for affordable housing to support nurses, therapists, and other hospital staff as the local cost of living continues to rise. The planned site for Beaufort Memorial’s housing project is located at 333 and 335 Buckwalter Parkway within the Buckwalter Planned Unit Development. On August 12, 2025, the Bluffton Town Council granted final approval for the project’s density increase, allowing Beaufort Memorial to double the density of units.

The housing units will feature a range of configurations: 30 one-bedroom, 60 two-bedroom, and 30 three-bedroom apartments. Rent for these units will range from $570 to $1,720, and availability will be determined by income qualifications, specifically targeting individuals whose income does not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four in Beaufort County, that figure is set at $112,500 annually.

This initiative is part of Beaufort Memorial’s strategy to address the affordable housing challenges posed by a rapidly growing community. Similarly, Novant Health’s housing project on Hilton Head Island is expected to serve people earning between 80% and 150% of AMI, with 30% of the units reserved for Novant employees, thereby reinforcing the commitment to providing housing solutions for essential workers.

Both healthcare facilities are striving to recruit more staff by enhancing housing options, which is critical given the local housing shortage that threatens the quality of medical services. The Charleston area, experiencing a significant population increase, faces ongoing challenges in providing adequate housing for workers due to the persistent attraction of tourism and the emergence of planned communities.

A recent report highlighted that employers in Bluffton are struggling to retain workers, particularly healthcare professionals, primarily due to the lack of affordable housing. Beaufort Memorial anticipates breaking ground on its project in December 2025, with completion projected for early 2027. Meanwhile, Novant Health plans to begin construction in early 2026, with the intention of having units available by mid to late 2027.

The Novant Health project will include a 1,600-square-foot community center and aims to prioritize energy efficiency and climate resilience in developing housing. This approach reflects a growing trend among healthcare providers addressing workforce housing challenges while ensuring a stable workforce amid rising housing costs.

As both Beaufort Memorial Hospital and Novant Health move forward with their respective housing initiatives, their efforts are anticipated to significantly alleviate some of the pressing workforce housing concerns in Bluffton and Hilton Head Island, thereby stabilizing the healthcare workforce crucial to maintaining high-quality medical services in the community.