Clyburn visits historic Charleston school renovated for senior living

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Congressman James Clyburn visited Charleston’s eastside Wednesday to tour a renovated historic property that will be affordable apartments for senior citizens.

The Henry P. Archer School was purchased in 2021 by the Humanities Foundation from the Charleston School Board for $4 million, according to Humanities Foundation President Tracy Doran.

The redevelopment project reportedly cost $42 million and uses low-income tax credits sold to syndicators, in this case, project partner Red Stone Equity, which brings in equity and allows the apartments to be rented at a lower rate, Doran explained.

The property, renamed Archer School Apartments, will house senior citizens 55 and older who have incomes below 80% of the local median income.

“I’m here this afternoon at the Archer School Apartments where the Humanities Foundation and James Doran company have joint-ventured to create 89 affordable senior apartments and so pleased to have Congressman Clyburn here as well as our city partners, county partners, tax credit partners, Red Stone and all of the folks who have been so supportive during this development,” Doran said.

She also announced that the project hopes to get its certificate of occupancy in February so residents can begin moving in March.

The Henry P. Archer School was built in 1934 at 220 Nassau St. Doran said that local civil rights activist Septima P. Clark taught there in the 1950s.

The Charleston Housing Authority, South Carolina Housing, The Climb Fund, Red Stone Equity, Sugar Creek Capital, Chase Bank, and Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust supported this project.