Increases in  fees and regulations are further escalating home sale prices.  New restrictive zoning and regulatory costs will adversely effect every homeowner  and renter in Lexington County. Those fees already add over $31,000 to the cost of a newly built home in the $200,000 price range in Lexington County. The new zoning regulations being discussed will add an additional $50,000 to every house!  The higher the fees, the more expensive new homes become.

Since the onset of the pandemic, cities, counties and school districts, among other taxing agencies, have been raising fees – including impact fees – to allow construction of new homes, townhomes, condos and apartments. The rising fees – combined with skyrocketing construction material and labor costs – are pushing home prices to new heights. That cost places a huge burden on homebuyers, particularly in markets like Lexington County where a large segment of the population cannot afford to buy a home.

Lexington County must find solutions for the middle-income market to enable essential workers, who are vital to the local economy including teachers and emergency service workers, to be able to live where they work. If we continue to “price-out” a majority of our citizens, we will lose the economic and social vibrancy of our communities.

The HBA of South Carolina will continue to work with other groups and elected officials to find solutions to these expanding issues. Please review the studies and papers below to gain a broader view and scope of the issues. We hope you will work together with us to address the issues affecting our families, friends and neighbors.

It’s important that you contact your elected officials before the September 28th Public Hearing and tell them we need their support to help control home prices so more residents can enjoy the benefits of owning a home because “Your hard work deserves a home”.