Office of Community Development
The Richland County Office of Community Development is part of the Grants and Community Outreach Department. The Office was created in 2002 to administer Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funding. In 2023, the County became a Grantee for the Emergency Services Grant (ESG). These funds are allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to principally benefit the low- and moderate-income (LMI) population of the unincorporated areas of Richland County. LMI is an income threshold that is updated annually by HUD and is defined as a family household income at or below 80% of median area income. Click here for HUD income guidelines information. New income thresholds for the state of South Carolina were released on April 1, 2024 (view limits here).
Richland County Community Development (RCCD) is committed to improving the quality of life for all citizens. Our mission is to transform lives in partnership with the Richland County community through housing, education and revitalization to make a difference, one household at a time. We assist residents as well as organizations who support residents with:
- Affordable Housing Development through rehabilitation and construction
- Homeowner and First-Time Homebuyer Assistance
- Public Services
- Financial Empowerment
- Neighborhood Revitalization
Public Notices
Richland County has issued the following Notices for upcoming Public Hearings, Displays, and Comment Periods:
6/13/24 - PUBLIC NOTICE: Program Year 2024 Draft Annual Action Plan | Hearing #2 and 30-Day Public Comment Period
Residents are encouraged to attend the Public Hearing on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 6:00PM in the Council Chambers for an overview of the 2024 Plan, proposed projects and activities, and the allocations for CDBG, HOME, and ESG Grants.
Plans & Reports
As an Entitlement Community, Richland County is granted yearly allocations of three primary awards from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to fund activities that principally benefit low- to moderate-income residents of unincorporated Richland County -- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership (HOME), and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG). The County has a Five-Year Consolidated Plan and prepares a yearly Annual Action Plan (AAP) to engage public input and drive the strategic use of these Federal funds. The County published an annual report on the use and impact of these Federal funds called a C.A.P.E.R. in December of each year.
The Draft 2024 Annual Action Plan was published for public display on June 15, 2024 for a 30-Day Comment Period. The Plan includes an overview of program priorities, proposed projects and activities, and allocations for CDBG, HOME, and ESG grants for October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025.
A hardcopy of the 2024 AAP is available in the Community Development Office at 2020 Hampton Street or a digital copy may be downloaded here. Please review this PUBLIC NOTICE for instructions on providing comments on the Draft Plan.
Below are links to current plans guiding Community Development programming in Richland County, as well as, the C.A.P.E.R reporting on Program Year 2022.
2023 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
2022 C.A.P.E.R.: Annual Report covering investments and activities from October 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023.
2017-2022 FIVE-YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN:
Programs
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): The CDBG regulations allow the use of these grant funds for a wide range of public service activities in the unincorporated areas of Richland County or that serve residents of the unincorporated areas of Richland County. The CDBG regulations allow the use of grant funds for a wide range of public services, including, but not limited to public safety, child care, health services, education programs, energy conservation, services for homeless people, etc. Applications closed.
***Guidelines for the CDBG Public Services Program can be found HERE
***Eligible Activities for CDBG can be found HERE
CDBG PROJECTS assist with the following: Housing Rehabilitation: Housing Rehab program is a 0% interest loan program to income-eligible homeowners for installation of roofs, soffit, gutters, electrical upgrades, plumbing, etc. Infrastructure: Expenses to be used to improve the public infrastructure. Economic Development: Expenses to be used to improve and expand employment opportunities in the County for low- and moderate-income persons and families.
Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO) (administered from HOME funds): A CHDO is a private nonprofit, community-based organization that has staff with the capacity to develop affordable housing for communities in the unincorporated areas of Richland County or that serve residents of the unincorporated areas of Richland County. In order to qualify for designation as a CHDO, the organization must meet certain requirements pertaining to their legal status, organizational structure, and capacity and experience. For eligible activities, please CLICK HERE
** Program Overview for HOME funds can be found HERE.
****The down payment assistance program is temporarily on hold. Please keep checking the website for the latest update.
Richland County Homeowner Assistance Program (RCHAP): CLICK HERE to learn more about the Richland County Homeowner Assistance Program (RCHAP), a down payment assistance program.
Operation One Touch: Minor home repair program
Incorporated towns and cities (Forest Acres, Arcadia Lakes, the Town of Blythewood, and the Town of Eastover) may be eligible to receive similar funding from the State of South Carolina Community Development Block Grant Program. Residents living in the City of Columbia must contact the City's Community Development Office at 803-545-3373.
Contact
Richland County Community Development
Richland County Administration Building
2020 Hampton St., Suite 3058
Columbia, SC 29204
Phone: 803-576-2230
Fax: 803-576-2052