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Beyond Four Walls: Enhancing Community Livability in South Carolina

Finding a quality, attainable home is one of the most pressing challenges facing South Carolinians today. But as a group of leaders recently discovered during a visit to Axhoj Enterprises in rural Pageland, SC, the solution requires more than just construction—it requires a holistic look at how we build communities.

Charmaine Fuller Cooper,

AARP South Carolina

Published February 24, 2026

A row of colorful townhouses in residential district

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Finding a quality, attainable home is one of the most pressing challenges facing South Carolinians today. But as a group of leaders recently discovered during a visit to Axhoj Enterprises in rural Pageland, SC, the solution requires more than just construction—it requires a holistic look at how we build communities.

The tour served as a catalyst for a deeper conversation on "livability," viewed through the diverse lenses of luxury-grade construction, digital connectivity, faith-based leadership, and aging-in-place advocacy.

A New Standard for Attainable Quality

The visit centered on the innovative approach of Kris Axhoj, CEO of Axhoj Enterprises. Originally a luxury custom home builder, Axhoj is now applying that same high-end precision to a broader market, proving that a smaller budget shouldn't mean a lower standard of living.

Unlike manufactured homes—which serve a vital purpose but typically depreciate in value—Axhoj utilizes stick-built modular construction. These homes are built with premium materials in a controlled, allergen-free factory environment. Because they are placed on permanent foundations, they grow in value over time, providing owners with a "forever home" that builds true generational wealth.

As South Carolina grows, communities including Hilton Head Island are faced with a growing need for more workforce housing for hospitality workers, educators and first responders. Columbia and larger cities are witnessing large unsheltered populations that could benefit from the range of housing options being rolled out by Axhoj and other housing visionaries. South Carolinians such as AARP volunteer and Rock Hill community leader Dr. Cynthia Roddey see a need for more independent community housing options where people with disabilities can thrive.

Advocacy: The Human Side of Housing

For Charmaine Fuller Cooper, State Director of AARP South Carolina, the mission is personal. Her commitment to housing advocacy began when she encountered a senior struggling to afford a safe home while working on a separate initiative. Years later she joined the AARP team to learn that AARP’s founding decades earlier was based on a chance encounter between Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, a retired California school principal and a retired educator who she discovered living in a chicken coop.

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Today, AARP educates communities and policymakers on options that allow older adults and families to "age in place." This includes promoting homes with age-friendly accessibility—features such as zero-step entries and wider doorways that make life easier for everyone, from a parent with a stroller to an elder with a walker.

Connectivity: The Modern Lifeline

Livability extends beyond the physical structure. Alan Fitzpatrick of Open Broadband highlighted that a home in 2026 is only as functional as its connection to the world. High-speed internet allows seniors to consult with doctors via telehealth and enables caregivers to work remotely while staying close to loved ones. For rural areas, the impact is even greater.

Community Foundations: Resourceful & Faithful

Furthermore, Reverend Odell Cleveland – a retired faith leader who has returned to his native South Carolina and continues to drive faith based community development emphasized the role of faith communities to meet housing demands. With deep local roots and underutilized land, faith organizations are uniquely positioned to host and nurture these housing options, keeping residents rooted in their support systems.

What’s Next? Addressing the Red Tape

South Carolina is experiencing a historic population boom, but the "red tape" of local regulations often stifles the very housing we need. A major point of discussion during the tour was the rising cost of impact fees, which some local governments have set as high as $29,000 per new home.

While these fees are intended for infrastructure improvements – new schools, turning lanes, libraries - local leaders must also assess the unintended consequences and balance the fees with the impact on affordability:

Driving Builders Away: High fees can force lower-cost homebuilders to take their projects elsewhere.
Passed-On Costs: These fees are ultimately passed to the homebuyer – including educators, first responders, veterans, thereby making "attainable" housing an impossibility for many.

To address the housing shortage, AARP South Carolina is advocating for a roadmap of reasonable solutions:

Modernizing ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Ordinances: Allowing for "mother-in-law suites" or backyard cottages in communities that desire them.
Turnkey Model Bills: Streamlining legislative processes for pre-approved housing designs.
Strategic Incentives: Creating win-wins for first-time buyers and homebuilders who use age-friendly designs that include first floor bedrooms and bathrooms.
Transit Integration: Connecting housing to transit to ensure residents remain mobile and independent.

The Power of Connection

The tour proved that when a luxury builder, broadband experts, a faith leader, and an aging leader collaborate, the result isn't just a house—it’s a reachable, sustainable future for all South Carolinians.

Housing Options to Age in Place

Whether you are a community member or local official seeking information on housing improvements to age in place, AARP has the tools to help you including model ordinances. Click her to learn more: aarp.org/housingpolicy