COLUMBIA, S.C. — The City of Columbia is asking federal regulators to let it move community development money away from two park projects and toward affordable housing, a proposal that went before residents at a public hearing Wednesday evening.
Under the plan, Community Development Block Grant dollars set aside for upgrades at Lorick Park and E.B. Sessions Park would instead fund the city’s housing rehabilitation work. The city also wants to start two programs for low- and moderate-income residents: buying property in targeted neighborhoods to create affordable homes, and helping buyers with down payments through its HOME funds.
A separate change would trim money for non-congregate shelter in the city’s HOME-ARP plan. That money would be redirected to administration, supportive services, nonprofit capacity building, plus a pair of new efforts: rental housing and tenant-based rental assistance.
The written comment period ran from Oct. 9 through Nov. 9, and the hearing was set for 6 p.m. Wednesday. The Busby Street Community Center, the hearing site, is at 1735 Busby Street. The draft is posted by the Community Development Department, which can be reached at 803-545-3373.
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