HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (WSAV) – Finding affordable housing in the Lowcountry has long been a challenge for those who want to live where they work. Now, one local employer is stepping up to help, not just for their workers, but for the entire community. "We love this community. We're here, we're raising our family. And it really is home," said Keith Kostrzewski of Abode Development. "So, to be able to take your work and your pride and bring that to bear, it's tremendously special." Abode Development and Novant Health have teamed up to address the pressing need for affordable housing on Hilton Head Island. Together, they are creating a new development designed for the essential workers who are the backbone of the community. Beaufort Memorial calls to oppose Novant Healths $320 million Bluffton hospital "It's the hospital staff, it's physician offices, it's local fire and rescue, it's teachers," said Joel Taylor. "It's those folks that make Hilton Head safe and also a great place to live." The new development will be located on Hilton Head Medical Center's main campus and will feature 141 units in total. A minimum of 30% of those units will be reserved specifically for essential workers. The mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments will be for individuals and families earning between 80% to 150% of the area’s median income. "It'll be walkable to those main street shops. It'll be walkable to the hospital," Taylor explained. "If someone is working at the hospital, it's just really convenient and a nice community-type setting." For Abode Development’s Brian Quinn, the partnership with Novant Health has offered a glimpse of hope in solving the housing crisis. "It's not necessarily a silver bullet," Quinn said. "There's a lot of work that still needs to happen. You know, this is one of many projects that need to happen in the area to make a true impact on the issue." The first step in addressing the affordable housing shortage is underway. Construction on the new development will begin in the coming months, with units expected to be available by mid-to-late next year.