$5.6 million grant to tear down poor housing in York, 3 other counties

York and Clover are among communities in a four-county area that could benefit from a $5.6 million grant to demolish substandard housing.

The Catawba Regional Council of Governments said it received the money from the S.C. Housing Finance and Development Authority’s Neighborhood Initiative Program to acquire and demolish blighted residential properties in York, Chester, Lancaster and Union counties.

The Catawba Regional Development Corp., a nonprofit affiliate of the COG, will acquire and manage targeted properties.

The neighborhood program “will improve many neighborhoods in towns, cities, and counties throughout the Catawba region by helping stabilize property values and preventing avoidable foreclosures,” said York Mayor Eddie Lee, chairman of the Catawba Regional COG Board.

York city leaders have on several occasions discussed the problem of derelict housing. In the 2014-15 budget approved last fall, the York City Council set aside $26,000 for the city to demolish derelict housing.

Lee added: “I know that the city of York is looking forward to working with the COG to remove blighted housing in our city. We are excited about the impact that this program will have, and appreciate the work the COG has already done – and will continue to do – to strengthen neighborhoods and improve communities.”

Under the program, eligible properties must be vacant, single-family or multi-family units and must qualify by meeting blighted standards based on factors such as habitability and public safety.

Non-residential and commercial property and property listed on a national, state or local historic register are not eligible for demolition.

The program is limited to $35,000 per property, including purchasing costs, demolition and site clearing, the removal of site structures and restoration costs.

Cole McKinney, regional initiatives director with the council, said the agency has already met with municipalities and county governments about the project.

He said governments will help the agency identify potential properties, and the agency will work with the property owners to purchase the property and demolish the structure.

“The primary focus is to remove blight so it can positively impact the properties that surround it,” he said.

McKinney said the sale of the property will be voluntary, and the agency can’t pay more than the appraised value.

“There are a lot of these properties around the four-county region, so I feel we’ll be able to find enough to use this award and that we’ll be able to have a meaningful impact,” McKinney said.

This story was originally published April 2, 2015 at 2:51 PM with the headline "$5.6 million grant to tear down poor housing in York, 3 other counties."