With housing needed, Catawba Nation plans new homes in SC for first time in 22 years
In February, the Catawba Nation plans to break ground on two-dozen single-family homes in South Carolina, chipping away at a backlog of citizens seeking a spot in the reservation’s limited real estate.
The $6 million development would bring new houses to Catawba land near Rock Hill for the first time since 2003, according to Catawba Nation Chief Brian Harris.
“Everybody wants a nice, clean, safe, affordable roof over their head,” Harris said. “That’s what we’re going to be able to afford our citizens.”
More than 90 families are on the housing wait list. A point system uses factors like number of children, household income and age to determine who gets first dibs, according to Denise Bryson, Catawba’s executive director of planning and development.
More good news could be on the horizon for families who don’t make the cut this time: Bryson said she’s looking at a plot of land that the nation could develop into an additional 28 homes.
Housing is the first in a spate of anticipated projects made possible by a new bridge connecting Rivercrest Road to Sturgis Road, and opening more than 300 acres of tribal land for development. The roads were long separated by a creek, leaving hundreds of undeveloped acres accessible only by a narrow gravel road.
“There was no way to possibly get all of this development on that single road,” Bryson said. “The infrastructure’s just not there. This happens, or our development doesn’t happen.”
At a ribbon cutting ceremony for the bridge on Wednesday, Harris shared his vision for what will soon occupy the land off the mile-long stretch of newly paved road. It includes the Catawba Nation’s Tribal Court and Peacemaking Center — a $10 million facility that will house the court system, police department and victim services. He hopes for a local school, too, that will include lessons on Native American history.
Harris also envisions plenty of businesses moving in, which he said could “sidestep” state and federal taxes, regulations and bureaucracy if they build on reservation land.
“Any business that’s coming through the state of South Carolina, more specifically York County, this is not only the Catawba Indian Nation and its citizens’ road, but this is your road,” Harris said. “This is your road to economic development freedom as well.”
