SOS Care Announces Expansion of Affordable Housing for Adults with autism and intellectual disabilities (IDD) to Georgetown County in a new home purchase this May!

Kathi Grace                                                                                      For Immediate Release
843.997.9965                                                                                  May 15, 2025
kgrace@soscaresc.org
www.soscaresc.org
SOS Care Announces Expansion of Affordable Housing for Adults with autism and intellectual disabilities (IDD) to Georgetown County in a new home purchase this May!
Murrells Inlet, SC – In May 2025, SOS Care, a local non-profit and developer of Oak Tree Farm, is proud to announce the expansion of an affordable housing rental home for adults with autism and IDD in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. As a leader in community-based supportive housing, SOS Care has been developing the Oak Tree Farm property in Conway since it purchased the 10-acre tract in 2018 and Phase 4 of that is underway to welcome 48 additional residents in late 2026. 
This Murrells Inlet home will be their first in Georgetown County and will welcome residents as early as June of this year.  SOS is also working to secure property in the Charleston tri-county area to develop another affordable housing community for approximately 100 adults with autism and IDD in the coming year.
“This home is more than just a residence; it’s a blueprint for inclusion. By securing grant funding to supplement mortgage payments, we are making it possible for adults with autism to live independently in a neighborhood where they truly belong. This initiative demonstrates that individuals with autism not only deserve to be part of our communities but that their presence enriches them.” said Sarah Pope, SOS Care’s CEO.
This Murrells Inlet opportunity was made possible by a generous grant from the Lucille D Jones-Julia Cripps Endowment fund administered by the Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation. The Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation is a South Carolina-based non-profit organization that supports charitable causes in Georgetown County. The foundation focuses on addressing poverty, meeting basic human needs, preserving the environment, promoting economic vitality, and encouraging positive youth development. It was established in 2000 by Frances McKay Peace Bunnelle, a philanthropist and community leader. The Lucille D Jones-Julia Cripps Endowment fund supports a number of local non-profit organizations along the south strand, many of whom participate in Palmetto Giving Day and include Smith Medical Clinic, AMI Kids and Children’s Recovery Network just to name a few. 
A Ribbon-Cutting for this new home is planned for Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 9:00 AM at 5190 Horry Drive Murrells Inlet, SC, next to the SOS Care’s corporate office, and literally “in their back yard”.  Coffee and refreshments will be provided by Bean Dreaming, an SOS Care employment initiative and mobile coffee truck that offers adults with autism and IDD hands-on training. Our credentialed and certified employment specialists train baristas to work for a variety of events and festivals in the Horry and Georgetown County areas. 
Conversations around affordable housing often lead to "Not in My Backyard" (NIMBY) mentality. This project is shifting that narrative, establishing the first independent living home in Georgetown County for adults with autism—integrating them into a thriving community & ensuring long-term affordability. The best part is: It’s in their backyard, along Coast RTA’s bus route, walking distance to restaurants, along the bike path, and central is delivery services and other supports.
According to the CDC, 1 in 31 children in the U.S. have autism, up from the previous rate of 1 in 36, and 1 in 45 adults in the U.S. have autism. Boys are nearly 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. Nearly 30% of South Carolina adults with autism or IDD live with aging caregivers over the age of 60, and the affordable housing crisis simply exacerbates the scarcity of disability housing options. SOS Care tackles this issue head-on by developing affordable housing solutions that remove financial and logistical barriers to independent living.
SOS Care’s mission is to answer the call for help when individuals or families face the challenges of autism and intellectual disabilities. SOS Care is headquartered in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, with programs in Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Charleston, Dorchester, Greenville, and Florence counties.
For more information on SOS Care services and programs, please contact Kathi Grace, Director of Marketing and Development at kgrace@SOSCareSC.org