District 1 City Councilwoman Tina N. Herbert hosted a “Let’s Build Together” information session yesterday afternoon, August 28, 2024, to inform churches, non-profits and land owners on potential opportunities to develop single-family housing. The event was held at the City of Columbia’s LEED certified Wastewater Management facility located at 4013 West Beltline Blvd.
“When I ran to be a City Councilmember, my focus was equity empowerment and economics, and one of my specific goals was increasing home ownership in the minority community,” Councilwoman Herbert said. “The number one way to develop and build wealth is homeownership, so it is vital that we help create opportunities for our citizens to own property in our City.”
Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann opened up the information session with an explanation of why it is so important to develop affordable homes in the City of Columbia for individuals to obtain financially security, to assist with the growth of successful and vibrant communities, and it enhances the overall quality of life of our citizens.
“This is the most important thing we can be doing as a community,” Mayor Rickenmann said. “Working together to build one house, one block at a time to help reshape our City. The City has invested heavily on how to move our citizens forward and housing remains a huge issue.”
In addition, the information session featured the City of Columbia’s Community Development Director Felicia Kilgore, The CEBA Group President & CEO Tony Lawton and Columbia Housing Authority Interim Vice-President Ernest Brown. The collective group of speakers advised attendees on the available financial assistance opportunities available to help assist with projects, and how to collaborate with local and national organizations to help bring their project to fruition.
The City of Columbia collected input from the attendees at the information session via one-on-one discussion and a survey that was distributed to all attendees. Councilwoman Herbert and City Staff will review the information submitted to better understand the needs and the desires to develop single-family housing in the City.
