Affordable Housing Ad Hoc Committee - October 20, 2026

Richland County Affordable Housing Ad Hoc Committee meeting, October 20, 2026: Staff updated the committee on the rehabilitation of 55 Columbia Housing Authority properties. Two rehabilitation contracts have been executed, covering homes in Woodfield and Forestwood Estates, with completion required by March 1, 2027. The county is awaiting HUD’s release of declarations of trust and environmental reviews before additional properties can proceed. Of the 55 homes, 14 are supported by remaining COVID funds ($1.66 million): 10 are planned for rehabilitation by Columbia Housing Authority and four for demolition and rebuild through a Habitat partnership. Staff expects to use a portion of the COVID funds to solicit a short-term contractual project manager; the cost was not yet determined, and a formal solicitation is planned. For approximately 35 HOME/CDBG-funded properties, staff is developing a competitive process for affordable-housing developers, nonprofits, and potentially private developers to take on projects. No new contract awards or spending motions were approved at this meeting.

The committee also reviewed home-rehabilitation and down-payment-assistance eligibility guidelines, including language aligning eligible employees with the county’s accommodation-tax assistance program. Members requested that staff clarify which departments qualify as “public safety” and report how many employees would be covered under possible definitions. Staff will return with that information. The committee approved the revised agenda and adjourned; the transcript records no procurement-related vote.