The housing development, announced Jan. 13, will be close to Novant’s Hilton Head Medical Center. Site preparation, including the removal of existing structures, is expected to begin in 2025, with construction slated for completion and units move-in ready by the end of 2026.
“This project underscores Novant Health’s mission to support the people who make Hilton Head a thriving community,” Joel Taylor, market president for Novant, said in the release. “Essential workers are the backbone of our community, and this development ensures they have access to stable, quality housing close to where they work and serve.”
Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant is collaborating with Vantem Global, Abode Development, and Coastal Community Development Corp. on the project. According to the release, it will feature:
- Energy-efficient studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments for individuals and families earning between 80% and 150% of the area median income.
- A 1,600-square-foot community center and amenities.
Novant noted that it will reserve at least 30% of the apartments in the development for its workforce and “maintain a right of first refusal on all units to prioritize access for hospital staff.”
Currently, more than 14,000 workers at local employers, including Novant, commute to Hilton Head Island daily to meet the area’s employment needs, according to the release.
Novant said the project aims to address challenges in recruiting and retaining healthcare workers due to a lack of affordable housing in the area.
Novant, a 19-hospital health system, acquired Hilton Head Medical Center and two other South Carolina hospitals from Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare in 2024. The acquisition included nearly 10 acres dedicated to the Hilton Head workforce housing project.
