COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richland County and the Columbia Housing Authority are closing in on a partnership that would transform vacant properties into affordable homes for local residents.

The proposal, discussed during the Richland County Affordable Housing Committee meeting on December 9, outlines a potential county investment of up to $2 million to help rehabilitate dozens of deteriorating single-family houses across the county.

According to county documents, Columbia Housing has 109 empty homes around Richlands County they would like to repair.

Columbia Housing, says private lenders have been unwilling to finance single-family homes that need improvements, leaving the agency with limited means to restore and resell the properties.

Under the proposed partnership, Richland County would prov

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