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Committee endorses using remaining COVID-era CDBG funds for Columbia housing rehabs and new builds
Summary
Richland County staff told the committee they plan to use remaining COVID-era CDBG funds to rehab about 10 single-family homes and buy four lots for demolition/rebuild in Columbia; staff said the funds ("1.65" as stated in the transcript) must be spent by September 2027 and require a formal amendment, public hearing and HUD approval.
The Richland County committee voted to move forward with a plan to redirect remaining COVID-era Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds toward a Columbia housing project that would rehab single-family homes and buy lots for new affordable houses.
Miss Callison Richardson, a Richland County staff member presenting the item, summarized the timeline and constraints: the funds were received July 2021 and must be tied to pandemic-related objectives. Richardson said the county currently has “with the 1.65 that's remaining” to use on the Columbia housing project and described a proposal to perform at least 10 rehabs and purchase 4 lots for demolition and rebuild. She also told the committee the money must be fully spent by September 2027 and staff plans to procure a project manager to oversee contractors and logistics.
Richardson said the housing authority will retain ownership of the properties and turn them over to its development arm for rehabilitation or rebuild. She said four homes already have specifications ready, and staff will amend the plan, run environmental reviews and submit the amendment to HUD after a 30-day public comment period.
Staff said a public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8 at 6:00 p.m., and that the item will return to the full council following the 30-day comment period. Mister Weaver asked whether units must be occupied by the September 2027 deadline; Richardson answered that HUD counts the national objective as met only when units are occupied. Councilmember Rasco and others asked procedural and timeline questions; staff confirmed next steps would include the public hearing, council consideration and HUD approval.
The committee voted to approve advancing the amendment and related steps to the full council; the clerk recorded affirmative roll-call votes from Pugh, Leto, Livingston, Weaver and Aline.
Note on transcript details: the presenter referred to the remaining funds as “1.65” without specifying units (e.g., $1.65 million); that unit was not provided in the transcript and is therefore not inferred in this report.
