Wendell Gilliard spent the hottest days of his childhood summers praying for a cool breeze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gilliard, a state lawmaker who represents parts of the peninsula and West Ashley in the S.C. House of Representatives, grew up in Charleston\u2019s low-income housing before it had air conditioning. His family would cool off by purchasing a large block of ice and setting it in the middle of a room surrounded by fans and open windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u200aThat was our air conditioning,\u201d Gilliard recalled. \u201cMom would always say, \u2018\u200aYou need to stay still and pray for a cool breeze.\u2019 \u200a\u200aThen, when everybody stayed still in that one room, you would notice the curtain would pick up from the breeze, and everything changed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charleston Housing Authority properties now have air conditioning, but many households across the state still don\u2019t. As South Carolina enters the dog days of summer, heat-vulnerable residents \u2014 who are predominantly elderly, those with chronic illnesses and the \u201chomebound,\u201d<\/a> per the S.C. Department of Public Health \u2014 face life-threatening risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read it all<\/a>.<\/p> (Local paper) '#CharlestonSC<\/a> Housing Authority properties now have air conditioning, but many households across the state still don\u2019t. As South Carolina enters the dog days of summer, heat-vulnerable residents \u2014 who are predominantly elderly, those with chronic illnesses and the\u2026<\/p>— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) July 9, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>