Richland County Community Development Debuts New Affordable Housing Duplex

RICHLAND COUNTY, SC – The highlight of a series of events organized by Richland County Community Development this week was the celebration of a new affordable housing duplex that two local families will soon call home.

To coincide with National Community Development Week, April 6-10, Richland County Community Development held a ceremony and open house for the new duplex. The affordable housing home, located on Julius Dixon Lane in the Ridgewood community, is one of the department’s many projects and programs that help build strong communities.

“Affordable housing benefits everyone within a community when it’s quality,” said Valeria Jackson, Director of Community Development for Richland County. “Affordable housing is needed and it doesn’t or shouldn’t have to look ‘affordable.’”

The federally-funded duplex is a product of the joint efforts of Richland County Community Development, the Benedict-Allen Community Development Corporation, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Ridgewood community. Both units of the duplex are two-bedroom apartments and the bottom level unit is ADA compliant.

Tenant applications are currently being accepted for those who meet the HUD income guidelines of 60 percent or below.

“It takes a great amount of effort and involvement from the County, HUD and the community to make safe, affordable housing like this available in our neighborhoods,” said Larry Salley, Executive Director of the Benedict-Allen Community Development Corporation.

In addition to Wednesday’s open house, Richland County Community Development also cohosted an affordable housing workshop, organized a supply drive to aid the survivors of domestic violence who receive respite at Sistercare and supported an induction ceremony at the Columbia Housing Authority’s Wall of Fame. Previous inductees include former Senator Kay Patterson, Sacramento Kings Coach Tyrone Corbin and national comedian J. Anthony Brown.

Richland County Community Development is committed to improving the quality of life for all residents through homeowner assistance programs, financial empowerment and neighborhood revitalization projects. For more information about Richland County Community Development, visitwww.rcgov.us or call 803-576-2230.