Results of Sumter housing study to be presented to public today

Posted

The community is invited downtown today to hear the results of a housing study conducted to analyze housing issues in the City of Sumter and hear consultants' recommendations.

RKG Associates Inc., of Cambridge, Maryland, was hired to perform a market analysis to provide a detailed look at the demographic, economic and housing market characteristics within the city. Their results will be presented from 5 to 7 p.m. today at City Centre, which is located next to Sumter Opera House at 21 N. Main St.

With a focus on affordability gaps and barriers, the study looked at gaps in the housing market and has assessed the challenges of providing a diversity of affordable housing across the city, according to George McGregor, director of the Sumter City-County Planning Department.

It has also attempted to understand the underlying development conditions and demographic trends driving growth patterns in the community, which has seen a shifting westward development pattern over recent decades with new greenfield development while the older neighborhoods in the community have experienced under-investment and, in many cases, decline during that same period.

Today's presentation will review the demographic trends, offer analysis of the development patterns and propose recommendations and strategies to address these gaps and barriers.