Sen. Zell encourages public to attend housing listening sessions in Sumter, Florence

COLUMBIA — State Sen. Jeff Zell, R–District 36, is encouraging residents, local officials, business leaders, housing professionals, faith leaders and community stakeholders across the Midlands and Pee Dee to participate in upcoming Housing Listening Sessions focused on South Carolina's housing challenges and opportunities.
Zell serves on the bipartisan, bicameral Housing Ad Hoc Committee, which has spent recent months examining housing affordability, housing availability, workforce housing and long-term housing stability throughout South Carolina. The committee has reviewed statewide housing trends, studied successful policy approaches from across the nation and engaged with industry experts to better understand the challenges facing South Carolina communities.
The next phase of the committee's work brings these conversations directly to residents through a series of regional public listening sessions.
"Housing is one of the most important issues affecting South Carolina families today," Zell said. "Whether you're a renter, homeowner, employer, developer or simply concerned about your community's future, we want to hear from you."
Zell noted that the issue is personal to him.
"As a teen who experienced homelessness, I know firsthand how destabilizing it can be and how hard it is to find your footing when every day feels uncertain. That experience drives my commitment to ensuring no young person or family faces those challenges alone."
Input gathered during these sessions will help lawmakers evaluate potential policy recommendations and legislative solutions for future sessions of the South Carolina General Assembly.
Those unable to attend in person are encouraged to submit written testimony through the committee's online portal.
Zell encourages participation from residents across Sumter, Florence, Clarendon, Orangeburg, Calhoun, Lee and surrounding counties to ensure rural and small-town perspectives are represented in the discussion.
"Every community faces unique housing challenges," Zell said. "These sessions give citizens a real opportunity to shape the conversation and guide future policy solutions."