Council amends accommodations-tax budget to fund affordable-housing assistance for public servants

Richland County Council voted March 4 to amend the county’s fiscal year 2025 budget to allocate a portion of tourism development and accommodations tax revenue for affordable-housing assistance targeted to county employees, first responders and employees of local school districts.

Council members said the change implements an option the South Carolina General Assembly made available last year allowing local governments to use a portion of accommodations tax revenue for affordable housing. Councilman Jason Branham, who spoke in support, said the allocation would put money that was otherwise unspent to use.

"This is an amendment of the current fiscal budget," Branham said. "In lieu of just having that money sitting there, this is a motion to have the money expended in a way that is authorized by the state law." He said the allocation under consideration was roughly $300,000 and that additional program details would be developed and approved later.

Administrator Brown explained the statutory context to the council, noting the General Assembly last year permitted up to 15% of accommodations tax collections to be used for affordable-housing measures. "Affordable housing is an issue within South Carolina and Richland County," Brown said, and the county should consider options to support staff and public safety workers.

The motion to amend the FY2025 accommodations-tax budget passed on a roll call vote. The council did not adopt final program rules at the same time; members said specifics on eligibility and disbursement would be developed and brought back for further council action.

The budget amendment will be recorded as part of the FY2025 ordinance change to the tourism development and accommodations tax funds.