Community Development
The Richland County Office of Community Development was created in 2002 to administer the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and the HOME Investment Grant funds. These funds come from 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% of the 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 with:
- Homeowner Assistance
- Financial Empowerment
- Neighborhood Revitalization
Click here for a fact sheet highlighting Community Development's recent annual accomplishments.
Programs
In seven years, RCCD grew to administer up to seven federal grants totaling more than $5 million. With these funds, the office provides affordable housing programs such as housing rehabilitation, emergency housing repair, down payment/closing cost assistance, public improvements and a neighborhood revitalization program.
Richland County’s HOME and CDBG allocations fund projects only in the unincorporated areas of the County. 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 funds 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.
Below are direct links to various programs within the Community Development Department:
CLICK HERE to learn more about our Richland County Homeowner Assistance Program (RCHAP), a down payment assistance program.
NOTICE (NEW): Richland County’s down payment assistance program (RCHAP)
Days and times to turn in your applications are Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
CLICK HERE to learn more about our Operation One Touch.
Contact
Richland County Community Development
Richland County Administration Building
2020 Hampton St., Suite 3063
Columbia, SC 29204
Main Number: 803-576-2230
Fax Number: 803-576-2052
Notices and Solicitations
(NEW)
The Public Comment Period for the Substantial Amendment to the FY19-20 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan is open, and the County will hold a virtual public hearing on Wednesday Feb 24, 2021 at 5:30 to hear from interested citizens and stakeholders regarding the amendment. The amendment includes an additional project, the purchase of a firetruck for the Lower Richland area, which was not part of the original plan as submitted to HUD. Interested parties may submit comments, questions or suggestions to the County until Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 11:59 p.m. Click Here for additional information on the Public Comment Period. For the Substantial Amendment, click here.
The Public Comment Period is open for the 7th Amendment to the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Annual Action Plan, published in August 2016. The amendment is an administrative reporting function per Federal Register Notice 5938-N-01 to submit a Projection of Expenditures and Outcomes Report. The County will hold a virtual public hearing on Wednesday February 24, 2021 at 6:00 pm. Citizens and Stakeholders are welcome to submit comments to the County no later than Wed, February 24, 2021 at 11:59 PM. For additional information regarding the Public Comment Period (click here). Substantial Amendment #7 to the CDBG-DR Annual Action Plan (click here).
(NEW)
Draft FY20-21 Annual Action Plan CDBG/HOME
To all Interested Agencies, Groups and Parties the FY 20-21 Action Plan will be submitted to United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on 8/31/20 and will include Public Comments and questions.
For more information on the Draft Action Plan, please click here.
For more information on Public Comments and Responses, please click here.
NOFA-CDBG FY 19-20
To All Interested Agencies, Non-Profit Groups interested in applying for CDBG funds for the new FY 19-20, please click here.
To All Interested Agencies, Groups and Persons interested in the Community Development Block Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds for single family housing and small rental rehabilitation (county-wide review), Please click here.
Public Notice (New)
RICHLAND COUNTY WANTS YOUR INPUT! Please click here.