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Richland County outlines priorities for 2026 HUD action plan, including HOME down-payment and Operation 1 Touch repairs
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Summary
County staff detailed proposed uses of CDBG, HOME and ESG allocations in a needs–assessment hearing, highlighting Operation 1 Touch home repairs (up to $24,000 per home), a $200,000 HOME down-payment assistance set‑aside for first‑time buyers, CHDO set‑aside requirements, and ESG priorities for homelessness prevention.
County housing staff presented a needs-assessment and draft priorities the county will use to develop its 2026 annual action plan for HUD funding.
A county presenter reviewed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) objectives and eligible activities, and stated projects must directly benefit low‑ and moderate‑income residents in unincorporated Richland County and the Town of Blythewood. The presenter noted that public services are capped at 15% of CDBG funds.
Adrienne Jackson, manager of housing, described the Operation 1 Touch minor home repair program, which serves eligible homeowners in unincorporated Richland County and aims to help at least 20 households per year with up to $24,000 in repairs per home. Jackson said the program is not currently accepting applications but is expected to reopen later this year and that the county partners with Habitat for Humanity on some repairs.
Jackson also detailed the HOME Investment Partnerships Program allocation and planned uses: the transcript records an allocation of $795,692.86 for HOME funds with a 10% administrative cap. Jackson described an affordable housing allocation (~$396,760), a required 15% CHDO set‑aside, and a proposed $200,000 down‑payment assistance fund for first‑time buyers who meet HUD definitions. She outlined multi‑year rehabilitation and preservation work in partnership with Columbia Housing Authority to preserve and rehabilitate scattered single‑family homes and said deed release from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is anticipated in August 2026, with rehabilitation work beginning summer 2026 and a goal of at least 14 houses completed by August 2027.
On homelessness funding, Callison Richardson summarized Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) priorities—street outreach, emergency shelter, homeless prevention, rapid rehousing and HMIS—and said the county has used ESG funds as a match for Continuum of Care members to reduce duplicative grant applications by nonprofits. She invited community feedback on whether the county should target ESG to particular areas of need.
County staff said they will synthesize public comments received through May 4, publish a draft plan around June 7 for another 30‑day comment period, and then seek committee and County Council approval before submitting the final plan to HUD.
