Community Development Grants Department

The Richland County Office of Community Development was created in 2002 to administer Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Grant funding. These funds are allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and primarily benefit the low- and moderate-income population of the unincorporated areas of Richland County. (Low and moderate income is defined as a family household income at or below 80 percent of median area income.) Click here for HUD income guidelines information.

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:

• Homeowner Assistance
• Financial Empowerment
• Neighborhood Revitalization

Public Notices

Richland County has issued the following Notices for upcoming Public Hearings, Displays, and Comment Periods:

10/26/23 -- PUBLIC NOTICE: CDBG Substantial Amendments & Comment Period  for public review

Description of Proposed Amendments: Click here to see a summary of the Proposed Amendments. 

All three plans proposed for amendment are on display in the County's Community Development Office (2020 Hampton Street, Suite 3058) and can be viewed using the links below. Individuals and organizations are invited to provide public comment by either attending the upcoming Public Hearing on Thursday, November 9th at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers or by emailing the Community Development Manager, Callison Richardson at richardson.callison@richlandcountysc.gov. 

Click here to review the FY 2020 Annual Action Plan with Substantial Amendments highlighted in yellow

Click here to review the FY 2021 Annual Action Plan with Substantial Amendments highlighted in yellow

Click here to review the 2017-2021 Five Year Consolidated Plan - Substantial Amendment with Substantial Amendments highlighted in yellow

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 Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV): provides grants to local small businesses to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the spread of COVID-19 in the unincorporated areas of Richland County or that serve residents of the unincorporated areas of Richland County. Eligible activities for CDBG can be found HERE.

****Program Overview for CDBG-CV can be found HERE

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: CLOSED

Click the following link to view the FY2020 CAPER.

Incorporated towns and cities (Forest Acres, Arcadia Lakes, the Town of Blythewood, the Town of Irmo 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.

*Please note that an additional Request for Proposals for a separate funding mechanism called Community Development Block Grant CARES (CDBG-CV) will also be released from Richland County in the coming months. CDBG-CV will provide grants to local non-profit organizations and government entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the spread of COVID-19 and to reimburse them for new or increased Public Service activities they administered as a result of coronavirus from March 2020 through the present. Available Richland County CDBG-CV funding is currently $500,000).
 

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