Affordable Housing Task Force — Columbia, SC
Date: 2022-06-14
Time: 11:00

COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING AGENDA
 TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022


The Columbia Affordable Housing Task Force will conduct a meeting on Tuesday, June 14,
2022 at 11:00 a.m. using video conferencing technology. Members of the public may 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.

CALL TO ORDER
APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Approval of May 10, 2022 Minutes

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

2. Review of Task Force Work Plan Questionnaire Results

3. Assignment of Smart Goals

4. Next Meeting Date and Topics

 Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.

 Topics:

  Overview of City of Columbia Housing Programs
  Committee Reports on Goals

ADJOURNMENT




 Page 1 of 1

COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING AGENDA
 TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022


The Columbia Affordable Housing Task Force will conduct a meeting on Tuesday, June 14,
2022 at 11:00 a.m. using video conferencing technology. Members of the public may 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.

CALL TO ORDER
APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Approval of May 10, 2022 Minutes

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

2. Review of Task Force Work Plan Questionnaire Results

3. Assignment of Smart Goals

4. Next Meeting Date and Topics

 Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.

 Topics:

  Overview of City of Columbia Housing Programs
  Committee Reports on Goals

ADJOURNMENT




 Page 1 of 1
 1.a




 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




 Attachment: AHTF_MN_051022 (7623 : Approval of May 10, 2022 Minutes)
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




 Page 1 of 5
 Packet Pg. 2
 1.a




 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




 Attachment: AHTF_MN_051022 (7623 : Approval of May 10, 2022 Minutes)
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.


 Page 2 of 5
 Packet Pg. 3
 1.a




 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




 Attachment: AHTF_MN_051022 (7623 : Approval of May 10, 2022 Minutes)
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 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.

 Page 3 of 5
 Packet Pg. 4
 1.a




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


Brenna Bernardin, Public Education & Abatements Committee Chair said it would great to




 Attachment: AHTF_MN_051022 (7623 : Approval of May 10, 2022 Minutes)
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.




 Page 4 of 5
 Packet Pg. 5
 1.a




 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022
4. Discussion of a Task Force Work Plan




 Attachment: AHTF_MN_051022 (7623 : Approval of May 10, 2022 Minutes)
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




 Page 5 of 5
 Packet Pg. 6
 2.a



Affordable Housing Task Force Work Plan
 Questionnaire

 Project Engagement




 Attachment: AHTF Questionnaire Results 060322 (7620 : Review of Task Force Work Plan Questionnaire Results)
 VIEWS PARTICIPANTS RESPONSES COMMENTS


 51 18 267 12
 Which committee(s) have you served on since June 2020?


35% None 6 



29% Public Education & Awareness Committee 5 



24% Partnerships 4 




12% Accessibility 2 




12% Legal and Zoning 2 



0% Financing 0 



 17 Respondents




 Packet Pg. 7
 2.a
 On June 9, 2020, this taskforce identified the following as impediments or challenges to
 affordable housing.

Please rank what you believe to be the top 5 impediments or challenges (with 1 being the
 greatest impediment and 5 being the least).


 53% Capital for developers Rank: 1.50 8 




 20% Rank: 2.00




 Attachment: AHTF Questionnaire Results 060322 (7620 : Review of Task Force Work Plan Questionnaire Results)
 Lack of rental assistance 3 



 7% Lack of housing vouchers Rank: 2.00 1 



 7% Aging infrastructure Rank: 2.00 1 




 27% Wage disparities Rank: 2.50 4 



 47% Zoning (where you can build) Rank: 2.57 7 




 47% High fees and taxes for affordable housing (i.e. cost of development) Rank: 2.71 7 




 7% Maintenance of existing affordable housing Rank: 3.00 1 




 7% Using eviction as a debt collection tool Rank: 3.00 1 



 40% NIMBY (not in my backyard) Rank: 3.17 6 



 20% Rapid Response to keep people from homelessness Rank: 3.33 3 



 67% Accessibility/affordability/safety of quality units Rank: 3.40 10 



 60% Having supportive services for residents of affordable housing Rank: 3.56 9 



 53% Education/ Addressing the stigma of affordable housing Rank: 3.63 8 




 27% Streamlined government approval process for development Rank: 4.00 4 



 7% Duplication of efforts Rank: 5.00 1 



 7% Lack of resources for maintenance of affordable housing Rank: 5.00 1 



 0% Access to housing for formerly incarcerated citizens 0 



 15 Respondents




 Packet Pg. 8
 2.a
 Identify the top 5 areas that you believe this task force can effectively change.


81% Education/ Addressing the stigma of affordable housing 13 



50% NIMBY (not in my backyard) 8 



38% Capital for developers 6 




 Attachment: AHTF Questionnaire Results 060322 (7620 : Review of Task Force Work Plan Questionnaire Results)
38% Streamlined government approval process for development 6 




38% Zoning (where you can build) 6 



31% High fees and taxes for affordable housing (i.e. cost of development) 5 



31% Accessibility/affordability/safety of quality units 5 



25% Duplication of efforts 4 



25% Supportive services for residents of affordable housing 4 



19% Uniform Fair Housing Standards 3 




19% Concentration of housing in low-income areas 3 



13% Maintenance of existing affordable housing 2 



13% Lack of resources for maintenance of affordable housing 2 



13% Aging infrastructure 2 



6% Lack of rental assistance 1 



6% Rapid Response to keep people from homelessness 1 




6% Lack of housing vouchers 1 




6% Use of eviction as a debt collection tool 1 




0% Access to housing for individuals exiting prison 0 




0% Wage disparities 0 


 16 Respondents




 Packet Pg. 9
 2.a
 * The following items were discussed during the first meeting of the year.

 Please identify your top 3 suggestions for the task force work plan.


 73% Inclusionary zoning 8 




 45% Training & equipping community navigators 5 




 Attachment: AHTF Questionnaire Results 060322 (7620 : Review of Task Force Work Plan Questionnaire Results)
 45% Financing a housing trust fund 5 




 36% Adopting universal accessibility and design standards 4 



 36% Tax modernization/reform 4 



 27% Mitigating evictions 3 



 9% Accessible housing for individuals exiting prison. 1 



 9% Homebuilder education 1 



 9% Vertical development 1 




 0% Implementing Storyteller's Bureau 0 



 11 Respondents


Which of the following committees have a role in the continuation of this task force?

 86% Financing 12 



 79% Public Education & Awareness 11 



 79% Zoning 11 



 57% Accessibility 8 




 43% Partnerships 6 




 36% Legal 5 



 14 Respondents




 Packet Pg. 10
 2.a
 Who is missing from this task force?

For Profit Developers
21 hours ago


N/A
2 days ago


N/A




 Attachment: AHTF Questionnaire Results 060322 (7620 : Review of Task Force Work Plan Questionnaire Results)
2 days ago


maybe representatives from the development community
2 days ago


State Senators and/or Representatives
2 days ago



someone to discuss rent change
2 days ago


No one. We may have too many people!
6 days ago


funders and those who can actually make the changes to zoning, design standards, etc.
6 days ago


for profit developer; we are heavy with those who do not deal in AH development or who are more
about tenant rights or systemic issues that effect renters' ability to stay housed (important, but not sure
how you bifurcate the two so you don't get sidetracked by the primary issue of developing the needed
AH units to stop this crisis)
6 days ago


I couldn't get the comment section to work but I think the city could add fair housing training for
members of city boards that affect housing development (DDRC, BOZA).
7 days ago


As noted, affordable housing developers would provide helpful input.
7 days ago


A major private developer
7 days ago




 Packet Pg. 11
 2.a
* How much time are you able to dedicate to the task force work plan outside of
 attending monthly meetings?
 87% 1 to 2 hours a month (committee
 meetings, research, etc.)
 13% I have all the time in the world for the
 city!!
 0% None




 Attachment: AHTF Questionnaire Results 060322 (7620 : Review of Task Force Work Plan Questionnaire Results)
 15 respondents




 Packet Pg. 12

COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022


CALL TO ORDER
The Columbia Affordable Housing Task Force met on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 using virtual
meeting technology. The Honorable Tina N. Herbert, Chair called the meeting to order at 11:00
a.m. The following members were present:

Attendee Name Title Status
Tina N. Herbert Chair Present
Jeff Armstrong Family Promise Present
Julie Ann Avin MIRCI Present
Reggie Barner The Barner Group Absent
Yvonda A. Bean Columbia Housing Authority 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 Absent
Dylan Gunnels Director at Haven Homes Present
Tonya Isaac Community Representative Absent
Jeff Larimore Midlands Housing Trust Fund Present
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 Present
Allison Terracio Richland County Council Absent
Regina Williams Board Member Present
Lester Young Just Leadership Absent
Jim Zieche More Justice Present
Chris Zimmer Truist Bank Present

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Approval of May 10, 2022 Minutes

Upon a motion made by Yvonda A. Bean and seconded by Sue Berkowitz, the task force
members voted unanimously to approve the May 10, 2022 meeting minutes.

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

2. Review of Task Force Work Plan Questionnaire Results

 Page 1 of 4
 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022

Councilwoman Tina Herbert reviewed the Task Force Work Plan Questionnaire results. The top
five impediments to affordable housing are capital for developers; zoning; accessibility /
affordability / and safety of quality units; supportive services for residents of affordable housing;
and NIMBY/education/addressing the stigma of affordable housing.

The areas that you believe this task force can effectively change are NIMBY / education /
addressing the stigma of affordable housing; capital for developers; streamlined governmental
process for development; zoning; high fees and taxes for affordable housing; and
accessibility/affordability/and safety of quality units.

Sue Berkowitz, SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center said there is a need to deal with the eviction
crisis.

3. Assignment of Smart Goals

Councilwoman Tina Herbert suggested changing the committee structure to two committees: one
that focuses on development and another to focus on advocacy and accessibility. We can divide
the suggestions for the work plan between the two committees. City staff is already working on
some of these things through the Columbia Compass Plan and we are trying to fill the gap. The
goal of establishing incentives to encourage developers to construct affordable housing units has
been assigned to the Community Development Department.

Krista Hampton, Planning and Development Services Department said we are pre-empted from
inclusionary zoning. This will require advocacy.

Jennifer Moore, United Way requested a briefing document on the Columbia Compass Plan and
the efforts of staff. We can figure out how to leverage and supplement that work.

Jeff Larimore, Midlands Housing Trust Fund suggested that items be defined for the new
committees to start with. Once there is traction in the reorganization of the committees, you can
begin to filter in the supplemental subject matters that complement the defined tasks of the
subgroups. We have a sense of the top three items to develop in phases.




 Page 2 of 4
 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022

The following committee selections were made:

Development Committee Accessibility and Advocacy Committee
Councilwoman Tina Herbert, Chair Councilwoman Aditi Bussells
Yvonda Bean Yvonda Bean
Jim Zieche Jeff Armstrong
Jennifer Moore Anita Floyd
Jeff Larimore Regina Williams
Chris Zimmer Sue Berkowitz
Gregory Sprouse Brenna Bernardin
Julie Ann Avin Dylan Gunnels

Councilwoman Tina Herbert asked for input on potential private developers who could serve on
the task force.

Julie Ann Avin, MIRCI recommended Kevin Connelly as a private developer.

Sue Berkowitz recommended adding someone from State Housing to provide assistance.

4. Next Meeting Date and Topics

 Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.

 Topics:
  Overview of City of Columbia Housing Programs
  Committee Reports on Goals

Councilwoman Tina Herbert said the committees should meet in July and come back on August
9, 2022 with a specific work plan. We will assign a city staff person to each committee. The
committees are to draft one or two sentences to describe what we consider development and
advocacy.

Councilwoman Aditi Bussells said there are a lot of parallels between the work we will be doing
around homelessness as well as affordable housing. The Task Force to Prevent and End
Homelessness met on May 18, 2022. It was an opportunity for people to share their perspectives
and to set a mutual foundation for how we are going to move the conversation forward. I
encourage you to attend our next meeting on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
at the Busby Street Community Center.

 Page 3 of 4
 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022


Sue Berkowitz asked to receive anything that the Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
has developed.

There was consensus for the task force to continue meeting virtually. Councilman Herbert will
schedule an in-person meeting later.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was closed at 11:52 a.m.

Respectfully submitted:


Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC
City Clerk




 Page 4 of 4