WHO: State Representative Leon Howard, SC House District 76, has spearheaded an effort to transform several Columbia neighborhoods.
Also involved are: Sen. Tameika Isaac Devine, SC Senate District 19 (Richland County), Rep. Chris Hart, SC House of Representative, District 73, City of Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, Columbia City Council and City Manager Teresa Wilson.
WHAT: Guided tour for community leaders and members of the media to highlight the work completed in Phase One and the status of projects in Phase Two of the Housing Assistance Program (HAP)
WHEN: Thursday, April 10, 2025 @ 9:45 am
The tour will consist of four neighborhoods and last approximately one hour; members of the media and community leaders are asked to arrive at 9:45 as the tour will begin promptly at 10:00 am
WHERE: The tour will begin in the Belvedere neighborhood. Participants are asked to meet at the City of Columbia Water/Wastewater Building (4013 West Beltline Boulevard | Columbia, South Carolina, United States, 29204) at 9:45 am to board the bus for the tour
WHY: The purpose of this tour is to highlight projects that have transformed some of Columbia’s oldest neighborhoods, eliminating blight and restoring hope to residents while ensuring that community investment and economic development occur in all areas of Columbia
ADDITIONAL:
Columbia’s Housing Assistance Program (HAP) continues to transform some of Columbia’s oldest neighborhoods, thanks to Rep. Leon Howard and others. In 2023, using 3 million dollars in funding he requested and secured from the state budget, Rep. Leon Howard, Chair of the Richland County Legislative Delegation, partnered with the City of Columbia and led the charge to repair over 20 homes in Columbia neighborhoods. These initial efforts comprised Phase One of this neighborhood improvement project. Since then, this effort has grown in just 24 short months, including 60 renovated or repaired homes, four new builds, and three additional neighborhoods: Booker Washington Heights, Fairwold, and Greenview.
The Home Assistance Program (HAP) allows eligible homeowners to apply for financial support to make approved home repairs. HAP is funded by the State of South Carolina, overseen by the City of Columbia, and managed by The CEBA Group. The home repair program assists the City of Columbia homeowners in making essential interior and exterior repairs to correct life, health, and safety issues, provide accessibility for persons who are disabled, and repair or replace major housing systems, including roofing, plumbing, and HVAC.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
Several homeowners will be available for interviews, and before-and-after photographs of some of the projects will be available.