Columbia Housing celebrates 90 years of service
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Columbia Housing has been helping families in need find affordable housing for the past 90 years — and leaders say they won’t be stopping anytime soon.
Formerly known as Columbia Housing Authority, Columbia Housing has served local communities since the great depression in the 1930’s.
Beginning with University Terrace — its first development in 1937, Columbia Housing fought for low income families through ongoing segregation.
“University Terrace had 48 apartments for white residents and 70 row houses for Black residents and it was separated by a steep slope. Today that area is a parking lot at the University of South Carolina,” says Senior Vice President of Communications Cynthia Hardy.
CEO Yvonda Bean elaborates on the institution’s history, saying, “We were actually in the housing industry even before the Housing Act was passed. Which speaks again to the history of the organization. Columbia Housing history is civil rights history. And so today we wanted to celebrate that rich history, we wanted to honor all that has happened in the past and all that we’re going to do in the future as well.”
Bean says that future includes $100 million in new construction — creating 435 housing units for families in need, with an additional $83 million being used to renovate current properties.
“We’re creating jobs, we’re creating housing, and so we take a lot of pride in that and we’re super excited to celebrate those significant milestones,” she says.
Thompsena Brown is the President of the Resident Executive Council for Columbia Housing. She was also a resident herself for 10 years.
“You have to sit where the people sat, in order to know what they’re going through. If you never sat there, don’t talk. So I’m the person, I’m gonna sit where you sat, and see what that feels like,” says Brown.
She’s now a liaison for current residents and an advocate for people currently in need of help.
“You have so many people who believe in housing. You have your haters, but you’ve got so many people who believe in housing, and they will be there to help you. I’m a witness. They will help you. All you gotta do is knock. They will open the door,” Brown says.
