COLUMBIA, S.C. — The City of Columbia welcomed churches and non-profits to a special information session Wednesday to discuss building affordable housing.
Local real estate developer Lasenta Lewis-Ellis was just one of the many people who attended the meeting.
“Housing right now is astronomical. It’s expensive. Everyone doesn’t have the means or make the income to really afford some of the housing units that we have now. It’s a need in our community. Everyone (doesn’t) make a $150,000 a year. If you look at the income bracket that was shared today, you have some people that work with the city, the county, the school district, only making $40,000 a year, they cannot afford to pay $2,500 a month,” Lewis-Ellis said.
The meeting is near and dear to Columbia City Councilperson Tina Herbert.
"So today was part of a series, 'Let’s Build Together' where we invited churches and non-profits to come in and learn, if they’re interested, in developing single family homes. Of course, we have a huge shortage of property, and we have folks who are looking for apartments, they’re looking for homes they want to purchase, and because the inventory is so small, prices are going up. So, we’re trying to give churches the skills, some of the tools, the information, direction, funding resources, so that they can develop on their land,” Herbert explained.
The presentation included information such as financing options, low interest loans, housing voucher programs, tips on finding tenants and how to get paid.
Michael Glover’s church is one that is interested in building affordable housing.
"I came out to see how we can maximize the utilization of our properties that we have at the church, to uplift our community and provide housing to those who are in need. (They can) move into a place that they can afford and it would also be something that would be nice for them to live in,” Glover said.
Council member Herbert said she hopes the programs lead to homes being built that city employees could rent or purchase.
"But I believe that if you work for the city, you should be able to live in the city. It’s just that simple. And so making sure that there are opportunities, rental and purchase, at a price point that everyday people can afford,” Herbert said.
Another topic that was discussed were the tax implications for any properties developed by a church or non-profit organization.
"If they sell them, they go back on the tax rolls. If they keep them and continue to rent them, then they do not,” Herbert explained when asked how the taxes would work.
Wednesday’s info session was just one of several the city has planned as they continue to encourage development of additional housing options across Columbia.