What’s the status of possible tiny homes in Aiken County?
AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - As talks of tiny homes and tiny cottages continue around the CSRA, Aiken County appears to be close to deciding if tiny homes could appear within the county.
Aiken County’s City Council voted unanimously to approve the second and final reading of the tiny homes earlier this month.
The goal is to move people experiencing homelessness into tiny homes and help get them back on their feet.
A nonprofit, Aiken County Homeless Housing, is behind the idea.
Construction to begin on new trail, pedestrian bridge at Augusta Canal
Soon, construction will begin on a $2.5 million access trail to the Augusta Canal from behind Top Golf and Bass Pro Shop on Riverwatch Parkway.
Aiken County Homeless Housing says they plan to call the tiny homes community “Arbor Ridge”, and it would be built on Dyches Road.
There’s already a contract to purchase the property. The contract is dependent on the city council’s approval of a concept plan, which they are waiting to get from Aiken County Homeless Housing.
The community will have single and double bedrooms and a community building with laundry facilities, offices and a meeting room.
It’s all to help solve a big problem in Aiken.
The recent “point in time” count shows that the homeless population is higher than ever.
Finding Solutions: Kroger, Paine College partner to stop food insecurity
One large grocery chain is ing forces with historically black colleges and universities in honor of Black History Month.
Some say the tiny homes are a long time coming.
“Several groups have been advocating for at least since 2015. My knowledge, probably even before that. But it is a much-needed idea that I hope comes to fruition,” said Aiken resident Jacob Ellis.
Now, the nonprofit is one step closer.
Before the ordinance was ed on Feb. 10, the smallest building that could be built for residential use had to be a minimum of 450 square feet.
The new ordinance allows certain areas to be zoned to allow tiny homes.
Columbia County leaders postpone vote on tiny cottages
Columbia County commissioners voted to postpone a vote on approving the land development contract to bring more than 100 tiny cottages to Mullins Colony in Evans.
“ed an amendment to our zoning ordinance, which will allow for zoning for potential tiny homes. Before that ordinance ed the smallest building that could be built for residential use would be a standalone structure that had to be a minimum 450 square feet,” said Bedenbaugh.
The proposed homes are about 160 square feet, and they are expected to build around 45 of them.
“Addressing those homeless individuals that are homeless due to addiction issues to drug and alcohol and mental health issues,” said Bedenbaugh.
Ellis has lived in Aiken his entire life, and he says the homeless population has increased.
“We do have a homeless problem and we do need to take steps to hopefully fix it and eventually get rid of the entire homeless population to help them and benefit them,” said Ellis.
Kimberly-Clark looks to expand as Aiken County es tax incentive
Kimberly-Clark has been part of Aiken County’s landscape for 57 years as one of the largest private employers in the area.
He says this is a big step in helping to solve the crisis.
Ellis says the location of the community is what’s needed.
“Most brilliant idea for a location I’ve heard of in a very long time. Will be near the mental health clinic, Christ Central job training, Walmart. The hospital will be just a couple of blocks away. It couldn’t have been a better location,” said Ellis.
Aiken County Homeless Housing says they are taking a phased approach, where they build about 24 homes with seven single and six double in the first year. If all goes well, they plan to build nine more singles and seven more doubles. If needed, the final phase will consist of 15 more houses.
The group says they will be proposing transitional phases within the next few days.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
