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Columbia Housing Authority outlines 420-unit pipeline, plans for 233 scattered homes
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Summary
Columbia Housing Authority told Richland County Council it plans three new developments (a 96-unit townhome, a 104-unit senior project and a 220-unit family development) funded by tax-exempt bonds and LIHTC, and described a disposition/rehab strategy for 233 scattered single-family homes to create homeownership opportunities.
The Columbia Housing Authority presented new affordable-housing projects and a plan to convert scattered public-housing units into homeownership opportunities during the Nov. 18 Richland County Council meeting.
Cindy Herrera, with the housing authority, described three developments the authority expects to move forward on in stages. Oak Grove at Hunt Club, at 8207 Hunt Club Road, is a 96-unit townhome project with a total development cost of $35,600,000 that the authority said it hopes to close by March and have available for occupancy in January 2028. Herrera said the development will serve families up to 60% of area median income.
The authority also described two projects near Watery Community Action Agency: a 104-unit senior development (for residents 62 and older) with a total estimated cost of $34,400,000 slated to close in 2026, and a 220-unit family development (referred to in the presentation as Willow Creek) expected to come online in 2027. Herrera said both projects are funded with tax-exempt bonds and low-income housing tax credits awarded by South Carolina Housing.
Herrera turned to the authority’s portfolio of scattered single-family homes. “The housing authority owns a total of 233 single family homes that are scattered throughout Richland County,” she said, and outlined a disposition and rehabilitation plan. She identified 43 homes that the authority believes are viable for rehab, said 109 are currently occupied, and identified 66 as candidates for disposition (sale) under HUD rules. Herrera told the council the authority would pursue a disposition process to remove HUD restrictions where possible, renovate roughly 50 homes over five years (about 10 per year), and make ownership opportunities available up to 120% of AMI to target workforce households such as teachers and first responders.
During council follow-up, staff explained that new rental developments open with property-specific waiting lists and that the authority notifies applicants on existing waiting lists when a new property accepts applications. Herrera acknowledged federal regulatory constraints that limit local prioritization of applicants.
The presentation lasted within the allotted time; councilmembers asked procedural questions but did not take formal action on the housing items at the meeting.
