Council considers land bank and home-rehab grants to revive Hartsville neighborhoods

Council members discussed using a land-bank or land-trust model to stabilize ownership of vacant or heir-held properties and to promote homeownership in historically affected neighborhoods.

Speakers described a land bank as a legal mechanism for placing properties into a public-purpose entity that can reduce tax burdens while enabling families to retain occupancy; proceeds from sales would be used to support ownership and rehabilitation programs. Participants said such a program could help reverse historic disinvestment and redlining that contributed to declining ownership in some neighborhoods (South Park was named as an area with a high rental share in the discussion).

Council members agreed an educational session is the first step. Staff and councilors asked a consultant group the city used in prior planning work to present at the city's upcoming UDO session in February and to return for a dedicated briefing if needed. The council emphasized that public outreach and explanation to affected residents will be required before any program launch.

The conversation also covered a possible state-funded home-rehabilitation appropriation that council members said was submitted by Representative Williams. Staff said the application was submitted last March but that the council had not yet received word on approval. During the discussion, speakers cited grant structures that would support low-income seniors: examples included a $10,000 no-payback grant and additional low-interest assistance (discussed in the meeting as up to $50,000 at 1% interest over three years) for eligible homeowners; staff said exact eligibility and award timelines had not been confirmed.

Next steps: council directed staff to invite the consultant for an educational presentation in February, to prepare a community outreach plan and to report back with clarified program details and timelines.