Affordable Housing Development

In alignment with Richland County’s Strategic Plan and its HUD Five-Year Consolidated Plan, the Richland County Community Development Office utilizes annual funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) along with local County funds to invest in the development, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable housing in unincorporated areas of Richland County.

Richland County utilizes both HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds with Program Income to leverage local investment from nonprofit and for-profit developers. The goal is to create and/or preserve both rental and homeownership affordable housing units for households up to 80% of Area Median Income. In general, HUD funds may be invested as grants or low-interest financing to serve as gap resources for eligible soft and hard costs in housing projects in unincorporated Richland County.

Program Objectives

• To provide decent affordable housing for low- to moderate-income households, including rental, homeownership, and transitional housing opportunities.
• To invest in the development and preservation of workforce housing.
• To expand the capacity of non-profit housing providers.
• To strengthen the ability of state and local governments to provide housing.
• To leverage private sector participation.

Program Status: Opening Soon

Richland County Community Development Office will release a Notice of Funding Available (NOFA) in August 2025 to call for proposals from non-profit and for-profit Affordable Housing Developers and Programs with a proven track record in the development and management of affordable and workforce housing.

Detailed information will be provided to interested parties through the County’s website and applications for funding will be accepted on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis. Required information sessions will be held for applicants and Technical Assistance will be provided by County staff and HUD Consultants, as needed. Proposals will be considered for the investment of HOME, CDBG, and other local resources. All proposals will go through an underwriting evaluation, be required to provide match investments, and demonstrate a strong track record in development and management of affordable/workforce housing. Eligible proposals will be recommended by County staff for consideration by the County’s Affordable Housing Ad Hoc Committee.

The County plans to seek proposals for the following activities and outcomes:

Proposed Eligible Activities

• New construction of owner-occupied housing: Construction of new homes for low-income individuals and families.
• Rehabilitation of owner-occupied housing: Necessary repairs and improvements to existing homes.
• New construction of rental housing: Construction of new rental properties that meet HUD affordable housing standards with required affordability periods.
• Rehabilitation of rental housing: Necessary repairs and improvements to rental properties.
• New construction or rehabilitation of Transitional Housing
• Housing Buy-Down: Through assistance at the transaction of sale to eligible household.
• Assistance to homebuyers: This includes down payment assistance, closing costs, and rehabilitation of purchased homes.

Potential Eligible Costs

• Acquisition
• Demolition
• Construction
• Rehabilitation
• Soft costs
• Hard costs
• Developer fees

Other Benefits

• Homebuyers involved in funded projects may be eligible for down payment assistance through the County’s First-Time Homeowner Assistance Program (RCHAP).

Mapping Tool to Identify Census Tracts and Block Group LMI Rates