Community Development Committee — Columbia, SC
Date: 2026-05-19
Time: 10:00

Columbia Community Development Committee Meeting Agenda
 Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM
 City Hall • Mayor's Conference Room
 1737 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Columbia, SC 29201
 City Clerk’s Office: (803)545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov

 The Honorable Tina N. Herbert, District I, Chair
 The Honorable William Brennan, District III • The Honorable Sam P. Johnson, At-Large


Call to Order

Committee Discussion

1. 2026/2027 Annual Action Plan — Ms. Felicia Kilgore, Community Development
 Director

2. Five-Year Residential Development Strategy — Ms. Ashley Jenkins, MPA, Special
 Projects Coordinator / Office of the City Manager

 City of Columbia Vacant Lots for Redevelopment

Adjournment




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Columbia Community Development Committee Meeting Agenda
 Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM
 City Hall • Mayor's Conference Room
 1737 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Columbia, SC 29201
 City Clerk’s Office: (803)545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov

 The Honorable Tina N. Herbert, District I, Chair
 The Honorable William Brennan, District III • The Honorable Sam P. Johnson, At-Large


 Call to Order

 Committee Discussion

 1. 2026/2027 Annual Action Plan — Ms. Felicia Kilgore, Community Development
 Director

 2. Five-Year Residential Development Strategy — Ms. Ashley Jenkins, MPA, Special
 Projects Coordinator / Office of the City Manager

 City of Columbia Vacant Lots for Redevelopment

 Adjournment




 Page 1 of 1

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 Community Development Department
 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan
 Executive Summary
 Public Meeting
 Felicia Kilgore, Director
 Community Development Dept.
 1401 Main Street, 4th Floor
 April 21, 2026
 Columbia, SC 29201
 Phone (803) 545-3373
 Fax (803) 255-8912




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 Annual Action Plan Process/Requirements
 Annual Action Plan
 • Submitted to HUD every year during the 5-year ConPlan cycle. (2nd Year)
 • Addresses the City’s Program Priorities as identified in the City’s 2025-2029
 Consolidated Plan
 • Describes the specific planned uses for HUD programs, and other program
 requirements.
 • Helps grantees determine activities and organizations to fund in the coming years.
 • Managed through HUD’s Integrated Disbursement and Information (IDIS) Online



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 2026 HUD Funding Allocations/Revenue
 Source​ Entitlement Program Income/RLF​ Total Revenue
 (estimated) (estimated)​


 CDBG​ $1,104,332 $1,404,675 $2,509,007

 HOME​ $647,208 $600,000 $1,247,208

 HOPWA​ $2,015,320 $0 $2,015,320


 Total​ $3,766,860 $2,004,675 $5,771,535



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 Priority Needs & Goals
 Expand & Improve Public Infrastructure & Facilities ​ 1A Expand/Improve Public Infrastructure​

 Preserve & Develop Affordable Housing ​ 2A Increase Affordable Housing Opportunities​
 2B Provide Housing Rehabilitation​

 Public Services & Quality of Life Improvements ​ 3A Provide Supportive Services for LMIO & Special Needs​
 ​
 Housing & Supportive Services for Persons HIV/AIDS ​ 4A Provide Housing Opportunities Persons HIV/AIDS​

 Effective Program Management 6A Effective Program Management for Compliance




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 Low to Moderate Income (LMI) Limits/Areas
 • LMI = Less than 80% of area median income
 Household Size​ 1​ 2​ 3​ 4​

 Extremely Low (30%)
 Income Limits 19,500 22,250 26,650 32,150

 Very Low (50%) Income
 Limits 32,450 37,100 41,750 46,350



 Low (80%) Income Limits 51,950 59,350 66,750 74,150


Low to Moderate Income Limits
Source: HUDUSER.GOV FY2025 – to be updated by HUD on May, 1 2026 for FY2026
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 Annual Action Plan Activities - CDBG

 CDBG Administration

 Applicant Project Name/Summary Grant Award Performance
 Amount Outcomes
 City of Columbia (CoC) Administration & Operations $220,866 Administration,
 Community Not to exceed 20% Entitlement​ Oversight,
 Development Department​ & Compliance




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 Annual Action Plan Activities - CDBG
 CDBG Public Services Activities
 Able South Carolina Expanding Able SC’s Independent Living services for individuals with disabilities living $10,000 Serve 150 individuals with disabilities
 in the City of Columbia through Independent Living services
 Communities in Schools of South Carolina CISCC will embed a site coordinator at one City school to support students living in City $20,000 3444 LMI households (30% - 49%)
 limits but attending school outside City of Columbia
 Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc. Assertive Community Treatment employment specialist services demonstrate $32,493 Minimum of 50 ELI households
 expansion in workforce development capacity.
 Fast Forward Program expands housing stability, employment readiness, and life-skill support $25,000 Approximately 120 unduplicated LMI
 services for LMI residents residents
 PALSS, Inc. Program is increasing its overall capacity by offering more workshops, and providing $30,000 Assist 100 clients re housing stability, life
 additional one-on-one coaching sessions skills, employment, etc.
 Pink & Green Community Service To improve the quality of life, independence, safety, and wellness for LMI seniors by $10,000 120 seniors, 10 monthly workshops, 4
 Foundation providing education, resources, and community-building opportunities special events, 120 meals
 Well Partners Dental & Eye Clinic To expand the number of dental and vision visits delivered to LMI residents by adding $38,156 Provide approximately 400 LMI
 clinical capacity. individuals with dental/vision screenings
 City of Columbia Homeless Services To expand workforce development opportunities for low-to-moderate income $0 Provide on-the-job training opportunities
 K.I.T.C.H.E.N. individuals experiencing homelessness for 30 LMI homeless individuals/6 weeks
 Greater Columbia Relations Council- to operate a housing education initiative to train potential homebuyers and provide $0 To educate/assist at least 125 people
  Community Housing Assistance Program information resources and referrals for low to moderate income residents with housing information in workshops
 Midlands Housing Alliance – to reduce inappropriate use of the hospital emergency departments by individuals $0 To formalize and scale an urgent care
 Emergency Room Diversion Program experiencing homelessness by providing timely, on-site urgent care and clinical triage model in downtown Columbia
 Total CDBG Public Services $165,649
 The list above includes applicants who applied for funding for CDBG Public Service activities. All applications were reviewed and decided upon by the Citizens Advisory Committee.
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 Annual Action Plan Activities – CDBG continued
 CDBG Non-Public Service

 Able South Carolina Making home modifications i.e. grab bars, permanent or $75,000 15 LMI households with disabilities for home
 portable ramps, and other modifications for persons with modifications (i.e. grab bars, ramps, etc.)
 disabilities

 CoC Parks & Recreation Lorick Park Improvements and E.B. Sessions Park $243,492 Lorick – resurface basketball court, install artificial grass;
 Improvements E.B. Sessions – install artificial grass

 TN Development To rehabilitate an historic three-bedroom, one-story mid-20th $267,421 Preserve the historic character of the home, while
 century stucco bungalow with a tin roof located at 2346 correcting health, safety, code compliance, and energy
 Pendleton St. efficiency


 Homeless No More Expanded Transitional Housing Services at St. Lawrence Place $45,000 To convert 13 existing affordable housing units into
 transitional shelter to expand services

 Homeless No More St. Lawrence Place Rehabilitation $48,000 Upgrade and rehab 8 existing transitional housing units,
 replacing aging HVAC units

 Total CDBG Non-Public $678,913


 The list above includes applicants who applied for funding for CDBG Non-Public Service activities. All applications were reviewed and decided upon by the Citizens Advisory Committee.


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 CDBG Housing Rehabilitation & Administration ​
 CDBG Housing Rehabilitation & Administration ​
 CoC Community Development Dept​ Housing Rehabilitation, Administration & Operations​ $137,805.00 Administration for Housing Loans & Rehabilitation​
 CoC CoC Community
 Community Development
 Development Dept​ Housing Rehabilitation,
 Affordable Administration
 Housing Program​ $137,805
 $906,870.00 Administration  forfor
 Loan Assistance  Housing Loans &
 4 LMI Households​
 Dept​ & Operations​ Rehabilitation​
 CoC Community Development ​Dept City Lender I/Uplift Down Payment Assistance Program​ $360,000.00 Up to 6 LMI Housing loans​
 CoC Community Development Affordable Housing Program​ $906,870 Loan Assistance for 4 LMI Households​
 CDBG Non-Public Service & Housing Rehab Admin $2,083,588.00
 Dept​
 CDBG Grand Total $2,470,103.00
 CoC Community City Lender I/Uplift Down Payment $360,000 Up to 6 LMI Housing loans​
 Development ​Dept Assistance Program​

 CDBG Non-Public Service & Housing Rehab Admin $2,083,588


 CDBG Program Total $2,470,103




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 Annual Action Plan Projects – HOME

 HOME Allocations ​
 Applicant Name​ Allocation Name​ Amount​

 CoC Administration & Operations (10% of Entitlement Cap)​ $64,720
 Community Development Department​
 CoC Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) Set- $97,081
 Community Development Department​ Aside (15% of Entitlement)​
 CoC Residential Affordable ​$485,407
 Community Development Department​ Loans/Acquisition/Rehabilitation/New Construction​
 CoC Estimated Program Income – Acquisition/Rehabilitation/New $600,000
 Community Development Department Construction/Development
 ​
 HOME Program Total​ $1,247,208




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 Annual Action Plan Projects – HOPWA
 HOPWA Sponsor Awards​
 Applicant/Proposal Name​ Overview & Outcome​ CAC Recommendations​
 Community Development Admin
 & Resource ID​ 3% Administration Cap for Grantee & Resource ID for Training and Outreach​ $60,459
 TBRA that serves over 56 individuals and families living predominately 1
 Columbia Housing Authority (CHA1)​ bedroom units $562,420
 Columbia Housing Authority (CHA 3)​ TBRA that serves over 15 individuals in 1 bedroom units​ $157,547
 TBRA that serves 9 households as a utility allowance to participants with
 Columbia Housing Authority (CHA 4)​ no income and to assist with payment of routine and emergency expenses​ $20,373
 Provides supportive services for up to implement provision of emergency
 Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services (PALSS)​ of housing assistance and housing development for up to 737+ individuals/HH​ $509,521
 Provides short-term rent, mortgage, and emergency utility assistance(STRMU)
 The Cooperative Ministry (TCM)​
 and related support services for up to 145 individuals/HH ​ $280,000
 Provides Short-Term Housing assistance and supportive services for up to
 Upper Savannah Care Services (USCS)​ 40 individuals/HH ​ $25,000
 Provides housing information, permanent housing placement,
 emergency housing assistance and supportive services for up to 450
 University of SC – Dept of Med. (USC -DOM)​ individuals/HH ​ $400,000
  ​ HOPWA Program Total​ $2,015,320
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 Next Steps

 Public Comment Period: April 1, 2026 – May 1, 2026
 Public Forum: April 21, 2026 at the Community Development Committee Meeting
 Public Hearing: April 23, 2026 at Busby Street Community Center
 Submit Annual Action Plan: May 15, 2026
 Program Year Starts – July 1, 2026




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 Questions or Comments
 • By mail:
 Community Development Department
 1401 Main Street, 4th Floor
 Columbia, South Carolina 29201
 • By email:
 CoCCommDevCompliance@columbiasc.gov
 • By phone:
 (803) 545-3373

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 Program and Compliance Division
 Kelly H. Mierkowski, Deputy Director
 (803) 545-3958
 Kelly.Mierkowski@columbiasc.gov


 Payton Simmons, CD Compliance Specialist Nicolette Parker, CD Compliance Specialist
 (803) 545-3046 (803) 545-4121
 Payton.Simmons@columbiasc.gov Nicolette.Parker@columbiasc.gov




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 Thank You!


Community Development Department
1401 Main Street, 4th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
  Page (803)
Phone  16 of 16
 545-3373 Fax (803) 255-8912

Columbia Community Development Committee Meeting Minutes
 Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Call to Order

The Columbia Community Development Committee conducted a Meeting on Tuesday, May
19, 2026 at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main Street, Columbia, South
Carolina 29201. The Honorable Tina N. Herbert, Chair called the meeting to order at 10:02
a.m. and The Honorable Will Brennan and The Honorable Sam P. Johnson were present.

Committee Discussion

Upon a motion made by Ms. Herbert and seconded by Mr. Johnson, the Committee voted
unanimously to approve the agenda subject to the addition of a brief overview of Contract
Amendment No. 3 for Program Management of the Community Development Block Grant
Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Program as Item 3.


1. 2026/2027 Annual Action Plan — Ms. Felicia Kilgore, Community Development
 Director

Councilor Herbert said this is a continuation from our last meeting. Since then, staff has
had additional conversations.

Mr. Jeff Palen, Assistant City Manager of Development and Finance / CFO reported that the
Annual Action Plan remains unchanged from the version originally presented. He noted that
committee members had identified a few items that were not being funded and requested
further review. Additional funding in the amount of $20,000 has since been identified for
the expansion of workforce development opportunities for low-to-moderate income
individuals experiencing homelessness. Although this is not federal funding, it has been
approved, and staff are now working with Homeless Services to move that effort forward.
He also addressed questions regarding the $267,000 allocated to the TN Development
Corporation for Pendleton Street, confirming that the project is potentially proceeding
toward demolition of the property rather than redevelopment. The outcome of that decision
will determine if there needs to be an amendment to how the funds are utilized.

Councilor Herbert inquired about the demolition process, noting her awareness of another
historic property, the Lutheran Seminary, which cannot be demolished due to its historic
designation. She asked staff to look into the available options regarding the property.

2. Five-Year Residential Development Strategy — Ms. Ashley Jenkins, MPA, Special
 Projects Coordinator / Office of the City Manager

 City of Columbia Vacant Lots for Redevelopment

Ms. Ashley Jenkins, MPA, Special Projects Coordinator presented an overview of underused
residential lots and the City’s affordable and workforce housing strategy. She outlined the
Keys to the Dream program, noting that a 2025 professional services contract is guiding a

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comprehensive plan for developing vacant lots in targeted neighborhoods. Originally
focused on workforce housing, the effort has expanded to broader community needs. She
highlighted planned home quality, including a partnership with US Brick, and shared a
spreadsheet identifying 63 vacant lots and their proposed uses. She added that staff are
also surveying employees about their housing interests and current living situations.

Ms. Teresa Wilson, City Manager outlined the City’s development framework and how
Project Dream and Project Growth support current housing and commercial efforts. She
said data from earlier work with DreamKey and the Integral Group now guides updated
residential and multifamily projects. An upcoming Procurement solicitation will let
pre-identified partners propose work.

Ms. Felicia Kilgore, Community Development Director reported that the department offers a
monthly homebuyer education course and noted that a staff member recently completed
financial credit counseling training, enabling the department to provide more hands-on
assistance to residents seeking to improve their credit while financing their homes.

Mr. Henry Simons, Assistant City Manager of Operations described the program as a
game-changer, noting that several Parks and Recreation employees have participated, with
one employee currently having a home under construction. He highlighted that participants
now have the opportunity to finance and follow the development of their own homes.

Councilor Johnson requested that the materials provided include council district
information, noting that the identified properties appear to span Districts 1, 2, and 3. He
emphasized the importance of recognizing housing needs citywide.

Councilor Herbert requested that the materials provided also chart which addresses and/or
individuals qualify for housing assistance.

Ms. Ashley Jenkins, MPA, Special Project Coordinator also shared that there are nine
additional lots that they are looking to purchase in the Booker Washington Heights
neighborhood. The City currently owns seven and all 16 lots will be utilized to invest in that
neighborhood.

Mr. Tony Lawton, President and CEO of The CeBa Group, LLC reported on progress within
the contracted areas, noting that the block-by-block approach is generating community
excitement. He thanked Code Enforcement staff for identifying structures ready for
demolition and stated that efforts are underway to bring Housing Authority properties back
online. He highlighted plans for approximately 15 new builds per year, including potential
opportunities for Section 8 voucher units, and stated that the overall goal is achievable
within four years.

Ms. Teresa Wilson, City Manager said the strong quality of current projects is attracting
more contractors and developers, though some will need vetting. She noted related Public
Safety Committee work to address overlooked properties, including transitional housing.
She emphasized that these efforts will help create the right conditions for reputable
developers to invest and support the City’s broader goals.

There was discussion about properties with a homeowner in progress; explanation of
under-contract; identifying those in need of wraparound services; homebuyer training;
getting participants into the homeownership pipeline; district-wide housing needs; public



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service entity partnership; ensuring residents with similar housing needs are also able to
participate; and the cost of builds.

3. Overview of the Contract for Providing Professional Services — Ms. Felicia Kilgore,
 Community Development Director

Ms. Felicia Kilgore, Director of Community Development reported that the department is
seeking to renew its contract with ICF Incorporated, LLC, which has supported the City’s
CDBG Disaster Recovery Program over the past several years. She explained that
additional funds are needed for more hands-on support from subject-matter experts. She
emphasized the importance of completing these projects successfully while maintaining
compliance with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements
and federal funding standards.

Councilor Brennan asked if this would essentially involve third-party auditors.

Ms. Missy Caughman, Assistant City Manager / Strategic Initiatives & Innovation stated
that it concerns grant management.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 10:57 a.m.


Respectfully Submitted:



Erika D. Moore Hammond, MMC, CPM
City Clerk




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