Affordable Housing Task Force — Columbia, SC
Date: 2022-05-10
Time: 11:00

COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING AGENDA
 TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022


The Columbia Affordable Housing Task Force will conduct a Meeting on Tuesday, May 10,
2022 at 11:00 a.m. using video conferencing technology. Members of the public are encouraged
to view the meeting online at www.columbiasc.gov. For questions regarding the meeting, please
contact the City Clerk at (803)545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov.

 The Honorable Tina N. Herbert, Chair

Prior to entering the meeting please turn all electronic communication devices to the silent, vibrate or off
 position. All presenters are asked to speak directly into the microphone for recording purposes.

CALL TO ORDER
APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Approval of the October 12, 2021 and December 14, 2021 Affordable Housing Task
 Force Meeting Minutes

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

2. Committee Reports

  Accessibility Committee - Ms. Julie Ann Avin, Chair

  Financing Committee - Mr. Reggie Barner, Chair

  Legal & Zoning Committee - Ms. Lila Anna Sauls & Ms. Sue Berkowitz, Co-Chairs

  Partnerships Committee - Ms. Jennifer Moore, Chair

  Public Education & Awareness Committee - Ms. Brenna Bernardin, Chair

3. Discussion of a Task Force Work Plan

4. Monthly Meeting Schedule

ADJOURNMENT




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COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING AGENDA
 TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022


The Columbia Affordable Housing Task Force will conduct a Meeting on Tuesday, May 10,
2022 at 11:00 a.m. using video conferencing technology. Members of the public are encouraged
to view the meeting online at www.columbiasc.gov. For questions regarding the meeting, please
contact the City Clerk at (803)545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov.

 The Honorable Tina N. Herbert, Chair

Prior to entering the meeting please turn all electronic communication devices to the silent, vibrate or off
 position. All presenters are asked to speak directly into the microphone for recording purposes.

CALL TO ORDER
APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Approval of the October 12, 2021 and December 14, 2021 Affordable Housing Task
 Force Meeting Minutes

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

2. Committee Reports

  Accessibility Committee - Ms. Julie Ann Avin, Chair

  Financing Committee - Mr. Reggie Barner, Chair

  Legal & Zoning Committee - Ms. Lila Anna Sauls & Ms. Sue Berkowitz, Co-Chairs

  Partnerships Committee - Ms. Jennifer Moore, Chair

  Public Education & Awareness Committee - Ms. Brenna Bernardin, Chair

3. Discussion of a Task Force Work Plan

4. Monthly Meeting Schedule

ADJOURNMENT




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MEETING DATE: May 10, 2022

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Approval of the October 12, 2021 and December 14, 2021
 Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting Minutes
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:


ATTACHMENTS:
  AHTF_MN_101221 (PDF)
  AHTF_MN_121421 (PDF)




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 Attachment: AHTF_MN_101221 (7546 : Approval of the Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting Minutes)
 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021

The Columbia Affordable Housing Task Force met on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 using video
conferencing technology. The Honorable Tameika Isaac Devine, Chair called the meeting to
order at 11:03 a.m. and the following members were present:
 Attendee Name Title Status
 Tameika Isaac Devine Chair Present
 Jeff Armstrong Family Promise Present
 Julie Ann Avin MIRCI Absent
 Reggie Barner The Barner Group Absent
 Sue Berkowitz Director of the SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center Absent
 Brenna Bernardin Fast Forward Present
 Pamela Bynoe-Reed Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority Present
 Bryan Grady State Housing Finance & Development Authority Present
 Dylan Gunnels Director at Haven Homes Present
 Tonya Isaac Community Representative Present
 Jeff Larimore Midlands Housing Trust Fund Present
 Ivory Mathews Columbia Housing Authority Present
 Jennifer Moore United Way Present
 Shayla Riley Coldwell Banker Present
 Lila Anna Sauls President and CEO of Homeless No More Absent
 Gregory Sprouse Central Midlands Council of Governments Present
 Allison Terracio Richland County Council Present
 Regina Williams Board Member Present
 Lester Young Just Leadership Present
 Jim Zieche More Justice Present
 Chris Zimmer Truist Bank Present
 Brittani Richards Habitat for Humanity Absent

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Approval of the September 14, 2021 Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting Minutes

Upon a motion made by Ivory Mathews and seconded by Pamela Bynoe-Reed, task force members
voted unanimously to approve the September 14, 2021 Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting
Minutes.




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 Attachment: AHTF_MN_101221 (7546 : Approval of the Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting Minutes)
 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

2. Affordable Housing Trust Funds - Mr. Michael Anderson, Director of Housing Trust Funds
 for Community Change

Michael Anderson, Director of Housing Trust Funds for Community Change said a housing trust
fund created by ordinance or legislation commits public dollars to meet the identified affordable
housing needs of a community. The Mescher Act allows for cities and counties in South Carolina
to create or participate in housing trust funds, specifically to advance the development or
rehabilitation of affordable housing. The key to a housing trust fund is having money in it to
produce the intended results. He presented Housing Trust Funds: A Proven Local Solution for
Increasing Access to Homes.

Members of the committee inquired about the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds; establishing
a trust fund through a third party; using the existing Midlands Housing Trust Fund as a vehicle for
dedicated funding from the city and/or county; and the Greenville Housing Fund.

3. Committee Reports

Jennifer Moore, Chair of the Partnerships Committee presented a joint report with the Public
Education Committee. We developed an outreach strategy to start in November using a storytelling
approach. It focuses on conversations with neighborhood groups, targeted corporate and business
community groups, or other entities that could be strong advocates for the message of affordable
housing or those needing enhanced education efforts. Each committee should provide their input
on the talking points by November 1st.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Patrick Wright, Esq., Senior Assistant City Attorney announced that he will be the new County
Attorney for Richland County.

NEXT MEETING DATE

Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.




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 Attachment: AHTF_MN_101221 (7546 : Approval of the Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting Minutes)
 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021
ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 12:02 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:



Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC
City Clerk




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 Attachment: AHTF_MN_121421 (7546 : Approval of the Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting Minutes)
 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021


The Columbia Affordable Housing Task Force met on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 using video
conferencing technology. The Honorable Tameika Isaac Devine, Chair called the meeting to
order at 11:02 a.m. and the following members were present:

 Attendee Name Title Status
 Tameika Isaac Devine Chair Present
 Jeff Armstrong Family Promise Present
 Julie Ann Avin MIRCI Absent
 Reggie Barner The Barner Group Absent
 Sue Berkowitz Director of the SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center Present
 Brenna Bernardin Fast Forward Present
 Pamela Bynoe-Reed Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority Absent
 Bryan Grady State Housing Finance & Development Authority Present
 Dylan Gunnels Director at Haven Homes Present
 Tonya Isaac Community Representative Absent
 Jeff Larimore Midlands Housing Trust Fund Present
 Ivory Mathews Columbia Housing Authority Present
 Jennifer Moore United Way Absent
 Brittani Richards Habitat for Humanity Present
 Shayla Riley Coldwell Banker Absent
 Lila Anna Sauls President and CEO of Homeless No More Late
 Gregory Sprouse Central Midlands Council of Governments Present
 Allison Terracio Richland County Council Absent
 Regina Williams Board Member Absent
 Lester Young Just Leadership Absent
 Jim Zieche More Justice Present
 Chris Zimmer Truist Bank Present

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

1. Columbia Equity Survey (Housing)

Councilmember Tameika Isaac Devine said we asked City Council for an equity survey and the
results were released a couple of months ago. City Council, County Council, and the two school
districts have received this data. I will continue to have conversations in the community about the
data. Dr. Kathleen Brady looked at many metrics and it is very illuminating in understanding where
we are in the Midlands. The data is aggregate among the City of Columbia, Richland County, and


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 Attachment: AHTF_MN_121421 (7546 : Approval of the Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting Minutes)
 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021
Lexington County. Housing is the single largest expenditure of most households and that is why
this is an important indicator when looking at equity within our community. The lack of affordable
housing effects peoples’ economic mobility and being able to address issues of concentrated
poverty. We have to look at economic equity to make sure we are getting people out of poverty
and that we are addressing other indicators such as health and education. Richland and Lexington
Counties are in the top ten with the state’s highest point-in-time count for homelessness.
Homeownership is the biggest way for economic mobility. Nationally and locally, African
American homeownership rates are extremely low in comparison to white Americans. In the City
of Columbia, the white population is 52% of the overall population, but 68% of homeownership
and 40% of rentals. Whereas, African Americans are 35% of the total population, but 25% of
homeownership and 50% of the rental population. Hispanics are 6.9% of the overall population,
but 2.3% of homeownership and 5.6% rentals. The Equity Survey recommended that the city and
counties look at how to increase homeownership in minority populations. There is information on
affordability and the percent of households where renters spend at least 30% of their income. In
Richland County, we are looking at 21.2% in the last five years. The report also includes best
practices from the national Equity Atlas on policies to ensure affordable housing for all:

  Raise funds to increase the supply of affordable homes through housing trust bonds
  Require or incentivize the inclusion of affordable housing within new development
 inclusionary zoning, community benefits agreements, density bonuses or other
  Preserve affordable rental housing, particularly apartments located near job transit, and
 services
  Ensure strong tenant protections such as “just cause” eviction ordinances, policies, and rent
 control to prevent displacement
  Implement a renters tax credit to help reduce rents for low-income families

The report talks about segregated communities. Richland County is the third highest segregated
community in the state, behind Charleston and Beaufort. There is data on that along with the
percent of children living in concentrated poverty by race. African American children are at 15.1%.
Hispanic children are at 9.25%. White children are at 1.6%. If you want better outcomes for
children then you have to improve the outcomes of where they are living.

2. Affordable Housing Unit Goal

Councilmember Tameika Isaac Devine said we talked about having a goal for adding affordable
housing units to the inventory on an annual basis. We also said that we would talk about the number
of affordable housing units that went into inventory this year and the ones that are slated to come
online in 2022.

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 Attachment: AHTF_MN_121421 (7546 : Approval of the Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting Minutes)
 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021


Krista Hampton, Planning and Development Services Director said the next year is rather
encouraging. We had some single family residential. We see the construction costs but we can’t
guarantee that these will be affordable and remain affordable. These are all rental projects
identified as affordable. This year, 63 units came online. Next year, we have approximately 1,800
units planned. Of which, 650 are student housing. Depending on the construction timeline, some
of these may creep into 2023. I credit some of this to incentives provided by the Workforce and
Senior Affordable Housing Act. This does not account for scattered site housing. Some of these
are public-private partnerships.

Councilmember Tameika Isaac Devine asked if the demand and capacity will still exist once
Columbia Housing’s 2030 plan is done.

Krista Hampton, Planning and Development Services Director said yes, as long as this state tax
credit stays in force we will continue to see development happen.

Councilmember Tameika Isaac Devine asked the members if 1,800 units is a realistic number on
a continuous basis.

Ivory Mathews, Columbia Housing said as long as we maintain access to state credits we will be
able to make a dent in the number of units needed in our community. We need to look at the
number of smaller projects coming through the city and county permit process. We have several
projects that have not made their way through the process yet. The State Fiscal Accountability
Authority (SFAA) will meet on Tuesday, December 21, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. We have four projects
on that agenda for the board’s consideration.

Bryan Grady, PhD, SC Housing said various issuers are seeking volume bond cap authority. There
is a certain amount of money that the IRS gives each state to issue in taxes and bonds. In South
Carolina, the SFAA formally approves those transactions. There has been a dramatic increase in
the number of people coming to the SFAA looking for bond authorization to finance affordable
rental housing. Our agency has been involved in that process and we are expecting a thorough
review of those projects in that meeting.

Councilmember Tameika Isaac Devine said 1,800 is good. Our deficit is over 16,000. An annual
goal of 2,000 gets us there in eight years. We talked about a ten-year goal as a recommendation to
city Council. They can decide whether to commit to this goal or change it.




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 Attachment: AHTF_MN_121421 (7546 : Approval of the Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting Minutes)
 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021
Jim Zieche, More Justice said we may still be behind after a ten-year period, but we will be in
better shape than we are today. It is an admirable goal.

Bryan Grady, PhD, SC Housing said there are a lot of moving parts that dictate how much
affordable housing will be produced. The 16,000 units from my analysis is reflective of a high-
level need. It is a stretch goal.

Councilmember Tameika Isaac Devine said it is a stretch goal. It is a recommendation and we will
see what Council decides to do. If this task force is comfortable with making that as a
recommendation, that will give them something to measure. It might help with funding incentives
that the city considers moving forward.

Councilman Sam Davis said I am in agreement with the point before us in terms of long-term
goals. The numbers speak for themselves and other governments need to look at the numbers. If
you just look at the City of Columbia, you run the risk of depopulating people who really need
housing. I received a call from a woman in the Harbison area and she was complaining that her
rent was going up from $800 to $1,700 per month. She is a single-mother and she can’t afford that.
There is something going on with rent controls, also. The higher the rents, the less availability you
will have for people who are the target of our committee’s work. I would not pull back from the
projections that are on the table. A housing shortage exists and Columbia needs to show that we
are serious about decent affordable housing.

Ivory Mathews, Columbia Housing said before we got the results to our affordable housing study
in Greenville, we toyed around with the number of units we thought we needed in the affordable
housing range. When the results came back, we found that there was a lack of housing stock for
all income categories. When there’s a lack of housing stock for all income categories, the people
with the most resources are the ones who will have access to those units that are traditionally made
available to people at moderate to low incomes. If we look at affordable housing in a silo and not
at the need for housing across the board, then we might be missing the mark when setting the
numbers. I don’t know what the right number is, but we need to shoot for something attainable.
The box checking process can be 18 to 24 months before we have a groundbreaking and start
construction. Then there is another 24 months of construction. I will say one-third of the 1,800
units if it is for the city proper.




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 Attachment: AHTF_MN_121421 (7546 : Approval of the Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting Minutes)
 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021
Bryan Grady, PhD, SC Housing said the 16,000-unit deficit is for the county. A comparable
number for the city is about 7,500 in terms of a rental-housing deficit. There needs to be a
component designed for low and moderate-income homeownership. If there are not homes for
current renters to purchase, those people are unable to exit renting. That drives up the demand for
rental housing and therefore increases the cost to rent. There needs to be an affordable
homeownership component.

Councilmember Tameika Isaac Devine said we have been using 16,000 because our goal is to
make sure the Midlands are covered. The numbers provided by Krista are just for the city. Bonita
Shropshire and I talked about Bryan doing a housing assessment after the elections. This is a
priority for two of the new Councilmembers but I don’t know where Council will be. I will give a
report at the next Council meeting and I will include a recommendation for an official request from
the new administration to SC Housing for this needs assessment. Is this the same study Greenville
did?

Bryan Grady, PhD, SC Housing said Greenville hired a paid consulting firm that was able to bring
a lot more resources to the table than a two-person state research office will be able to provide. I
don’t want to promise that level of polish, but we produced a statewide housing needs assessment
in 2019 and again earlier this year. If the recommendation is made, we would want input from the
new city administration and other relevant stakeholders on what such a project would look like.
We would be in a position to make relevant evaluations and recommendations that would inform
the city’s decisions and policymaking.

Councilmember Tameika Isaac Devine said we can have a goal and the study can inform things
moving forward. Our professionals are suggesting that it be one-third of 1,800. That’s about 600
units for the city and it will take twelve and half years to get there. I think there will be more and
We are in a unique position with resources and a national conversation on the housing crisis. If not
2,000, then 1,000. Dylan suggested 600 for next year and then incrementally increasing it.

Ivory Mathews, Columbia Housing said holding us to a number and getting a firm commitment
from everybody is certainly moving in the right direction. Affordable housing is still a negative
word to some people and it is sometimes low hanging fruit for conversations. The 600 is something
we can certainly meet.

Councilmember Tameika Isaac Devine said Sue suggested 10% of the need, which is 750. It sends
a message that we will be addressing the need in a way that can be evaluated. Are we comfortable
with setting 750 units as the goal that will be evaluated on an annual basis?


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 Attachment: AHTF_MN_121421 (7546 : Approval of the Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting Minutes)
 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021
Sue Berkowitz, SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center said 10% is not a huge amount, but it is not an
overwhelming amount for those who will be charged with developing the housing.

Jim Zieche, More Justice asked how much would it cost for the city to bring 600 units on.

Jeff Larimore, Midlands Housing Trust Fund said that is a loaded question, because you have to
evaluate the style of project you wish to deliver. Commodity prices will vary over a 10-year period.
Projects underway estimate at $70 million or more. Collectively, we have to develop a public-
private partnership agreement to target a goal of 600 to 750 a year because we are challenged
structurally. There’s growing economy in the state that should get private engagement.

Ivory Mathews, Columbia Housing said the Columbia City Council approved five privately owned
affordable housing developments on December 7, 2021. The Housing Authority plans to issue
bonds for those developments: four new construction projects and one acquisition rehab project.
That is 728 units at $92 million. A lot of these funds go into underground infrastructure.

Councilmember Tameika Isaac Devine said Habitat for Humanity will come back to Richland
County with a project in 2022.

Brittani Richards, Habitat for Humanity said we are partnering with the Columbia Housing
Development Corporation to take on some additional properties to further our footprint in
Columbia.

Councilmember Tameika Isaac Devine said this is our recommendation going into 2022. Let’s
have this as a priority to start chipping away at the deficit and monitoring the amount of new
housing or affordable housing units being added back into the inventory. My report to Council
next week will be asking them to consider a goal of 750 units annually that will be evaluated
annually. Currently, Krista has permitted 1,800 so that shouldn’t give them heartburn for next year.
We know that things fluctuate but it is this task force’s position that if there’s a definitive goal
people will stay conscience about how to chip away at that deficit.

3. Committee Reports

Brenna Bernardin, Fast Forward reported on behalf of the Public Education & Awareness
Committee and the Partnerships Committee. We have a communications strategy for community
members and for outreach and partnerships. We have from both committees, a list of 30 groups to
do outreach to as well as a draft script.


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 Attachment: AHTF_MN_121421 (7546 : Approval of the Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting Minutes)
 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021
Councilmember Tameika Isaac Devine said several of us participated in a meeting with More
Justice. They have been working with the county on a housing trust fund and that plan is moving
forward. There may be some use of the Public Education & Awareness Committee and the
Partnerships Committee. If we are moving forward with a referendum, the public needs to be
educated first and we need to make sure those things are aligning.

Jim Zieche, More Justice said we heard in our research that there is a lack of education on the need
for affordable housing. That cuts across elected officials and the community. I will invite Brenna
to join the coalition so that we are lockstep moving forward.

Councilmember Tameika Isaac Devine said I want to talk with you Sue before my presentation
next week. Since Judge Coble left, there isn’t anyone at the county that I am having conversations
with about eviction court. That is still something that I want to work with you on to see if we can
make a recommendation or bypass the city altogether and talk to the county about eviction court.

Sue Berkowitz, SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center said groups from around the state submitted
an applicationto HUD for legal representation. South Carolina was not selected but I think we can
do it if we get the right staffing to help with making that work.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Councilmember Tameika Isaac Devine announced that Julie Ann Avin of MIRCI received the
Order of the Palmetto.

Ivory Mathews announced that Sue Berkowitz was named the SC Housing Advocate of the Year.

Councilmember Tameika Isaac Devine said this is my last meeting as your chair. I will no longer
be a councilperson as of December 31, 2022. I asked Councilman Duvall to chair this task force
but I don’t know what is going to happen. This is an ad-hoc committee. By ordinance, the mayor
will appoint the chairperson. I am hopeful that this task force will remain intact. There is a lot of
work that we are already doing together. In some form, this task force will remain together. I will
make the recommendations next week. In January, there will be a lot of conversations. This is an
amazing group of great talent. There is still a lot of work to be done. I am passionate about this
and I am going to keep working to address this equity issue. Affordable housing will continue to
be top of mind for all of us and we will continue to work to make a dent and make the lives of the
people who live here better.




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 Attachment: AHTF_MN_121421 (7546 : Approval of the Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting Minutes)
 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021
ADJOUIRNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:



Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC
City Clerk




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MEETING DATE: May 10, 2022

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Committee Reports
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:

Accessibility - Ms. Julie Ann Avin, Chair
Financing - Mr. Reggie Barner, Chair
Legal & Zoning - Ms. Lila Anna Sauls & Ms. Sue Berkowitz, Co-Chairs
Partnerships - Ms. Jennifer Moore, Chair
Public Education & Awareness Committee - Ms. Brenna Bernardin, Chair




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MEETING DATE: May 10, 2022

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Discussion of a Task Force Work Plan
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:




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MEETING DATE: May 10, 2022

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Monthly Meeting Schedule
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:

Future meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, June 14, 2022 and Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at 11:00
a.m. using video conferencing technology.




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COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022


The Columbia Affordable Housing Task Force met on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 using Video
Conferencing Technology. The Honorable Tina N. Herbert, Chair called the meeting to order at
12:01 p.m.

Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Tina N. Herbert Chair Present
Jeff Armstrong Family Promise Absent
Julie Ann Avin MIRCI Present
Reggie Barner The Barner Group Present
Yvonda Bean Columbia Housing Present
Sue Berkowitz Director of the SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center Present
Brenna Bernardin Fast Forward Present
Pamela Bynoe-Reed Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority Present 11:15 AM
Dylan Gunnels Director at Haven Homes Present 11:04 AM
Tonya Isaac Community Representative Absent
Jeff Larimore Midlands Housing Trust Fund Present 11:36 AM
Jennifer Moore United Way Present
Brittani Richards Habitat for Humanity Absent
Shayla Riley Coldwell Banker Present
Lila Anna Sauls President and CEO of Homeless No More Present
Gregory Sprouse Central Midlands Council of Governments Absent
Allison Terracio Richland County Council Absent
Regina Williams Board Member Absent
Lester Young Just Leadership Absent
Jim Zieche More Justice Present
Chris Zimmer Truist Bank Present

INTRODUCTIONS

There was a period of introductions of the task force members.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Approval of the October 12, 2021 and December 14, 2021 Affordable Housing Task
 Force Meeting Minutes




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 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022

Upon a motion made by Lila Anna Sauls and seconded by Dylan Gunnels, task force members
voted [12 to 1] to approve the October 12, 2021 and December 14, 2021 Affordable Housing
Task Force Meeting Minutes. Councilwoman Tina Herbert voted no. Jeff Larimore was not
present at this time.

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

2. Committee Reports

Councilwoman Tina Herbert said I want to make sure this group has some type of closure and/or
new beginnings. There are a couple of recommendations out there but I felt we needed to honor
the work that has been done. I want each of you to give me an idea of what decisions and/or
issues you have addressed and what you want to do going forward.

Julie Ann Avin, Accessibility Committee Chair said we met in 2020 and determined the need to
utilize universal accessibility standards for individuals that need senior living, people with
disabilities, and people who have mobility challenges. We discussed accessible housing for
individuals coming out of incarceration, which is more of a public policy issue. It has to do with
background checks. We didn’t get a lot of traction. We spent most meetings trying to define
affordable and attainable housing.

Councilwoman Tina Herbert asked if the Accessibility Committee could do more after we add
the recommendation of adopting universal accessibility standards.

Julie Ann Avin, Accessibility Committee Chair suggested that the city make a commitment to
develop housing that meets universal accessibility standards. Each developer should know how
to implement those standards.

Reggie Barner, Financing Committee Chair said there is an ever-moving target around financing
for affordable housing. Currently, we are focusing on the state tax credit and the bond program
under the 4% program. We need to address issues from a development standpoint. Columbia has
one of the highest property taxes in the state and the committee needs to have dialogue around
the tax abatement issue or incentive. The City's incentive for affordable housing development
has not gone anywhere. We need to put some teeth behind that. There is statewide legislation that
focuses on inclusionary housing where developers would be required to develop a percentage of
affordable housing. There has also been discussion around a local housing trust fund. Those
would be the initial focuses we could begin with this year.


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 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022

Councilwoman Tina Herbert said the city has a Tax Modernization Committee and it is
important for us to have a liaison on that committee. Can I recommend that you be our
representative on that committee? I need to see why there has not been any action on the 2007
recommendation on inclusionary housing. I will find out why there has not been any traction
with the City's incentive. Back in the day, the city funded the Midlands Housing Trust. I want to
make sure we are not creating another housing trust because it sounds like a lot more overheard.

Lila Anna Sauls, Legal & Zoning Committee Co-chair said inclusionary zoning works well in
Charleston. It has not picked up traction here. This committee should not be looking at the city's
zoning ordinances. It would be great if we could figure out inclusionary zoning and work to
further that agenda in tandem with the Financing Committee. We are missing the for-profit
developer on this task force. Venture capitalists are purchasing condemned properties in huge
numbers. How do we access the list of properties that are condemned and slated for demolition?
How do we save these properties and turn them into affordable housing for the neighborhoods?
The Northside Community in Spartanburg worked because of community navigators. Neighbor
Works provides training for community representatives. Community Navigators are key to
solving this crisis.

Councilwoman Tina Herbert said that is on my radar and I share the list at every neighborhood
meeting. I realize that people do not know how to do it and I do not have the capacity to help
them.

Sue Berkowitz, Legal & Zoning Committee Co-chair said we need to consider how to restructure
the issues in order to work through them. In terms of legal issues, we worry about people who
are in jeopardy of losing housing. Eviction is a huge issue. We have the highest levels of
evictions for medium size areas, especially in St. Andrews. I would like to see the right to
counsel anytime someone is losing housing. We have seen how eviction court can work well. We
wrote a grant for an attorney in the Richland County area. We are looking at the court rules and
things that are happening to people when they are going through eviction. I would love for the
taskforce to look at those issues. If we have an attorney doing this with our office, we will offer
part of their time to be a part of putting that project together to help with mitigating the problems
of eviction and eventually foreclosure.

Jennifer Moore, Partnership Committee Chair said we started meeting jointly with the Public
Education & Awareness Committee. We talked about having a storyteller’s bureau. We would be
the folks to make the request once there is a clear plan. We would kick in when we need to
deploy education or partnership efforts around specific recommendations by the group. United
Way helped to create the Midlands Housing Trust Fund and we are sensitive to the idea of

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 TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022

having two trust funds with overhead. We just want financing and resources to go into a housing
trust fund in the most efficient way possible.

Brenna Bernardin, Public Education & Abatements Committee Chair said it would great to
continue to merge with the Partnerships Committee. We have an outreach list. We are waiting
for ideas and goals from the committee before we go out into the community.

Councilwoman Tina Herbert asked if we overlooked anything.

Dylan Gunnels said let’s talk about large-scale investors and others who are purchasing at a rapid
level, manipulating the market, pushing people out, and purchasing properties for cash. We are
starting to see minor pieces of legislation that can help to combat that. Neighborhood and
homeowner associations are coming together to keep this from happening. I do not want to
neglect that part of the conversation when we are talking about affordability.

Councilwoman Tina Herbert said that is critical and if we can find a way to provide them with
the tools, a plan, seminar and financing that would be very helpful.

Shayla Riley concurred with Dylan’s comments. On the builder’s side, there could be more
communication with the builders association. Builders are selling lots to hedge funds before the
house gets out of the ground. In one neighborhood, 25 lots were sold to an investor. I cannot tell
you what that does to pricing and the quality of a neighborhood. It is borderline monopolizing. I
cannot easily find a four-bedroom home under $260,000. We have to change the builders’ minds
about what people need. We have a talent retention problem. People are leaving Columbia after
graduation to go to other cities where they can afford the housing. It is important for the builders
to hear about the kinds of models and floorplans people can have. More vertical development
and townhomes are more appealing.

3. Monthly Meeting Schedule

Councilwoman Tina Herbert asked if 11:00 a.m. is a good time to meet each month. I would like
to have an in-person meeting later.

There were no objections to meeting at 11:00 a.m. each month.




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 TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022


4. Discussion of a Task Force Work Plan

Councilwoman Tina Herbert said I am going to take the information I heard today and send you
a survey. I want you to help me prioritize the issues because my ultimate goal is for us to develop
three things that we know we can accomplish or recommend for the City. We can divide that
from advocacy issues. I will formulate the discussion so when we come back next time we will
have those results. We can also see if we are all on the same page.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 12:02 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:



Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC
City Clerk




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