$3,200. That’s the cost of renting a 3-bedroom, 2-bath house in West Union, South Carolina—plus a $2,000 security deposit. With most landlords requiring tenants to earn 3x the monthly rent, that means an income of $9,600 per month is needed just to qualify. For many of us, that’s simply unattainable.

Wages in the area have barely risen, yet investors continue to pour money into rural, undeveloped land, often backed by government grants. Northerners are drawn here by the promise of lower property taxes, while longtime residents—those who built these towns and communities—are being pushed out. Homelessness is on the rise.

After coming to these conclusions myself, I decided to ask questions and speak with local county officials. What I learned was sobering. They shared that the goal is to make Keowee Key—the cookie-cutter retirement community—the centerpiece of Oconee County.

As a single mother of two, this is my worst fear coming to life. The town I grew up in no longer feels like home. Right now, my kids and I are homeless, temporarily staying with family. I work hard as an independent insurance agent, but it’s simply not enough to keep up with skyrocketing rent, rising utility bills, and the cost of living.

Am I the only one? Are others in our community facing these same challenges? I’d like to hear your stories and work together to find solutions. Let’s bring attention to what’s happening before more families are displaced.