Earlier this month, Representative Leon Howard led other elected officials, community leaders, and members of the media to tour several homes restored through the Housing Assistance Program (HAP).
The tour included four neighborhoods and eight homes. Several of the homeowners were viewing their renovated homes for the first time. In a tour that lasted just under two hours, Rep. Leon Howard led the group to two houses in the Belvedere neighborhood, one in Booker Washington Heights, three in Fairwold, and two in the Greenview neighborhood.
The first stop on the tour was in Belvidere at the home of Mr. William Currington. Family members were gathered as Mr. Currington received his keys and a check for $2,000 toward furniture. Currington, who was overwhelmed by the transformation of his property, asked his pastor, Rev. Johnny C. Bush of Gunther’s Chapel Baptist Church, to perform a house blessing while everyone was gathered. The tour also featured two renovated homes in North Columbia’s Greenview neighborhood, where residents praised the partnerships and interagency efforts that made everything possible. Homeowners Olivette Akers and Yolanda Kelly were especially grateful to Shane Built, the construction company responsible for most of the work done throughout the project. Homeowners also sang the praises of William “Tony” Lawton, the City’s economic development consultant, whose guidance and expertise have guided the project for the last two years. “This is what happens when we work together, collectively, as a team,” says Lawton, “everybody wins”. And, “It’s what the whole revitalization program is all about, ” concludes Lawton.
Columbia’s Housing Assistance Program is a collaboration based on state funds identified by Sen. Darrell Jackson, advocated for by Rep. Leon Howard, and then administered by the City of Columbia in 2023. Using 3 million dollars in funding requested and secured from the state budget, Rep. 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 to include 60 renovated or repaired homes, four new builds, and three additional neighborhoods: Booker Washington Heights, Fairwold, and Greenview, resulting in Phase Two of the project.
Through HAP, eligible homeowners receive 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. This home repair program assists City of Columbia homeowners in making essential interior and exterior repairs to correct life, health, and safety issues, provide accessibility for disabled persons, and repair or replace major housing systems, including roofing, plumbing, and HVAC.
The purpose of the April 10th tour was to highlight Phase Two of the program, showcasing the most recent projects completed this year. This program has 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.
