To see the entire streetscape in the picture to the right, click here.

On January 1st, 2001 The City of Columbia Housing and Loan Administration Division began "The CityLiving Housing Initiative". The purpose of the initiative is to promote owner-occupied homeownership for all income levels in the City of Columbia, South Carolina.

The goal was to lend, over a 5 year period, $ 50,000,000.00 in low interest, low down payment loans. The goal was exceeded and the success of the CityLiving Initiative continues.

Phase II of the CityLiving Housing Initiative has begun.

We are fortunate in the City of Columbia to have a group of lenders who are interested in investing time and money in "THEIR" community. On January 1, 2006 these Partner Banks committed to Phase II of The CityLiving Housing Initiative over $ 60,000,000.00. As you explore this Website you will find a variety of loan programs designed to allow qualified homebuyers to purchase existing homes, purchase and rehabilitate homes, construct new homes and renovate currently owned homes. While many first time homebuyers take advantage of these loan programs, the CityLiving Loan Programs are not limited to individuals who have never owned a home.

The overall goal of The City of Columbia is:

• To upgrade, improve and revitalize neighborhoods throughout the City of Columbia.  
• To encourage, promote, and further the development of affordable fair housing opportunities for all income persons throughout the Columbia metro area.
• To provide financial assistance for housing rehabilitation, home conversions and new residential construction as a means to provide quality and affordable housing for low income households.
• To foster neighborhood identity and stability through the promotion of homeownership and housing rehabilitation programs.
• To provide housing counseling for homeowners assisted through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME and other housing programs.
• To encourage housing rehabilitation and neighborhood reinvestment by the private sector through effective leveraging of public and private funds, the provision of information and technical assistance, and innovative programs.
• To rehabilitate deteriorated housing which fails to meet the minimum housing code, concentrating on vacant units to mininmize displacements.
• To demolish, in a timely manner, depressed housing units which fail to meet the housing code, and which are economically unrepairable.
• To acquire land for redevelopment by removing blighting influences and nonconforming uses.
• To relocate families to safe, sanitary and affordable housing.
• To assist the needs of the homeless relating to the provisions of emergency shelter, transitional housing and permanent housing throughout the Midlands area.
• To provide assistance to low-income persons affected by HIV/AIDS through the Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids (HOPWA) program.  

The City of Columbia, S.C. is involved in several areas of housing and homeownership. We hope you will explore this website to see some of the ways we can help you become a homeowner. Please visit the websites of our partner banks and feel free to contact our office directly to schedule an appointment with one of the City of Columbia Loan Officers. Please call the Housing and Loan Administration Division at 803.545.3373.