In an effort to address increasing problems with its homeless population, Lexington County may soon help set up a group housing project at a hotel site on Bush River Road.

Lexington County Council heard a presentation on the project at the Jan. 23 council meeting. County officials are recommending approval of an allocation of $2.2 million in American Rescue Plan funds to the nonprofit Homeless No More for the acquisition of a former Quality Inn site located along Interstate 20 and transforming it into a group housing complex, along with an allocation of $800,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program for the project rehabilitation.

The Quality Inn building in question is located at 2210 Bush River Rd. and is currently in use as Suburban Studios Columbia Northwest, part of an extended-stay chain that, like Quality Inn, is owned by Choice Hotels.

According to documents on the project contained in the council agenda, the proposed housing community would include 20 transition units with on-site staff providing support services and 20 units considered permanent supportive housing with on-site services. Units will have 1-2 bedrooms, a living area and small efficiency kitchen. An accredited child care facility will be on site.

During the presentation, council was advised that the final number may be 30 units instead of 40.

In an interview with the Chronicle, Council Chair Beth Carrigg said the body is likely to approve the project, but only after receiving more information. She said she doesn’t anticipate any action at the next council meeting.

She emphasized that all of the funding for the project would come from grant sources, not from Lexington County funds.

In a statement supporting the need for the project, the S.C. Housing Authority reported 43% of families are considered “housing poor” in Lexington County, paying more than 30% of their income on house costs.

Carrigg said she was “absolutely concerned” about that finding.

But she said similar findings are likely in other counties throughout South Carolina. By comparison, she said Lexington County is probably in better shape than most other counties.

“The Gap” report published annually by the National Low Income Housing Association and a 2016 study by the USC School of Psychology both show a need for more than 8,000 units of affordable housing in Lexington County.

Another study by the United Way found that a single parent household with three children must earn $65,000 a year to sustain childcare, transportation, medical, food and housing costs. A family earning 30% of Lexington County’s average income makes approximately $22,000 a year.