SOS CARE celebrates $10M housing community for adults with autism in Conway
CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) — An affordable housing community for adults with autism and intellectual disabilities in Horry County celebrated the opening of three new apartments.
The newly furnished apartment buildings are in Oak Tree Farm off Medlen Parkway near Highway 501.
SOS CARE started developing the $10 million Oak Tree Farms community almost seven years ago, and Phase 3 construction started about eight months ago.
CEO Sarah Pope said this week’s ribbon-cutting was for three apartment buildings, which will have 36 units for 72 residents.
Pope said the idea came one day during a serious conversation.
“Where will you live when maybe your family are not here anymore,” she said. “And it’s just in that moment, where people say, ‘oh my goodness, I don’t know because there’s nowhere for us to go.”
Pope said her intent was to create an affordable housing community for adults with autism and intellectual disabilities. She said this complex will allow individuals to learn life skills and prove to themselves and others what they are capable of.
Five residents currently live in a transition house within the complex. One of them, Brandon Douglas, said he can’t wait to move into his new home.
“I get to see more people, and with more people there, I’ll be able to interact more,” Douglas said.
Pope said the residents will have access to transportation, on-site laundry facilities and a swimming pool. She added the living and kitchen areas are already furnished and appliances are installed.
“The residents just bring their bedroom set and things with them,” Pope said. “They’ll have a bedroom and a bathroom, so they bring their own furniture.”
Pope said there is a waiting list of about 400 people. She said every resident interested must apply and take a class.
Pope said they have been very fortunate.
“The community has really supported this initiative and people grant funders so SC Housing and Horry County funds,” she said.
Pope also spoke about her passion for helping those with autism.
“I have been in the field for years. I went to school to be a social worker and I’ve worked in the field of disabilities for my entire career but I also happen to have two children that are on the spectrum and so they are now adults,” she said. “And, you know, my concern is also, for them, I was a single mom and where will my children be when I’m not here one day.”
Pope said they’re already planning Oak Tree Farms Phase 4, which will include two more apartment buildings and bring in an additional 50 residents.
She said moving forward, they’re working together with the city of Conway to become even more inclusive. Hopefully, the city will be certified as an autism-friendly city in the near future, she said.
Jackie LiBrizzi is a multimedia journalist at News13. Jackie is originally from Hamilton, New Jersey, and was raised in Piedmont, South Carolina. Jackie joined the News13 team in June 2023 after she graduated as a student-athlete from the University of South Carolina in May 2023. Follow Jackie on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here.
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