WILMINGTON -- Nearly half of the renters in New Hanover County are struggling with finding an affordable place to live according to the Cape Fear Housing Coalition.

Now, a developer is working to bring a low-cost apartment complex to the downtown Wilmington district.

Plans were recently submitted to the city to build more than 30 units off of S. 17th Street.

The ‘Studio 17’ apartment complex is an infill project, a kind of development that focuses building on empty or underused lots. If approved, some of the units will also be located on top of the Southside Food Market. It’s geared towards disabled veterans, but will be open to anyone who wants to apply.

"They want to live in the environment they choose to live in, healthy, clean, safe, environments. So projects like these new affordable apartments are vital to continue to fit that niche,” said Terry Espy, Downtown Business Alliance.

The developer plans to meet with the city’s technical review committee next week to discuss the project.