Chatham County, in partnership with Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity and the City of Port Wentworth, hosted a community event at Rice Creek School on March 24, 2026, to celebrate the upcoming Villages at Carter Manor development and highlight new opportunities for affordable homeownership in the region.

The event brought together students, community leaders, elected officials, and local stakeholders to mark an important milestone in the effort to expand access to safe, stable, and affordable housing across Chatham County. A key highlight of the program was the recognition of a $1.2 million federal grant secured by Chatham County through the office of Raphael Warnock. These funds will directly support the development of the Villages at Carter Manor and help increase homeownership opportunities for working families.

The Villages at Carter Manor, an 83-unit affordable homeownership community planned for Port Wentworth, represents a strong collaboration between local government and nonprofit partners. Once completed, the development will provide quality housing options designed to strengthen neighborhoods and create pathways to long-term financial stability for families throughout the region.

As part of the event, the winner of a student art contest at Rice Creek School was annouced. Students were invited to share their creative interpretations of what homeownership means to them, regarding the themes of home, neighborhood, and community. The initiative reflects a broader effort to engage young residents and foster a sense of pride and connection to the community.

Rice Creek 3rd Grader Cataleya Drummond took home the prize, with the potential for her artwork to be featured in future materials representing the development.  

Speakers throughout the program emphasized the importance of partnership and shared vision in addressing housing challenges and building stronger communities. Local, state, and federal leaders highlighted how coordinated investments and community engagement are essential to ensuring sustainable growth and opportunity.