The Columbia Housing Authority marked a significant milestone with the launch of an approximately $14 million redevelopment initiative aimed at renovating or replacing 25 affordable rental apartments situated near downtown Columbia.
Known as the Providence Walkway project, the effort encompasses comprehensive interior renovations to 16 existing apartment units, alongside the construction of nine brand-new apartments built to replace previously demolished structures.
The project draws funding from a combination of federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, tax-exempt bonds, resources from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and both public and private investments at the local level.
Columbia Housing Authority CEO Randy Cole noted that work crews have already demolished an aging laundry facility, completed essential stormwater and water infrastructure improvements, and cleared materials from the units in preparation for renovation.
The redevelopment is designed to resolve several longstanding structural and mechanical deficiencies, including inadequate insulation, unstable foundations and footings, and deteriorating sewer lines.
“Also, the older units didn’t have high-speed internet or enough electrical amperage to power a dryer,” Cole said.
In addition to structural repairs, the renovated apartments will incorporate a range of energy-efficiency upgrades.
Cole confirmed that all 25 units were occupied at the time the Housing Authority began evaluating the redevelopment. To accommodate construction, residents are temporarily relocated, with the authority providing full support throughout the process and assisting them in returning once their new units are ready.
“We pay for all the moving costs,” Cole said. “We absorb all those expenses, utility hookups, and take really good care of our residents and then help them get back to their new apartments that they’re really excited to move into.”
The Housing Authority also conducts resident engagement meetings to keep tenants informed and involved. Cole highlighted that the project’s location provides convenient access to downtown employment opportunities, parks, and various neighborhood amenities.
Each apartment within the Providence Walkway development will carry a project-based voucher, ensuring that residents’ rental payments are calculated according to their income level.
Eligibility is limited to households earning no more than 50% of the area median income.
Cole explained that prospective residents are placed on a waiting list, with selections made primarily on a first-come, first-served basis, though elderly applicants are given priority consideration.
“We do have a lot of working families that just need some help with some housing stability given the high cost of housing,” he said.
As construction on the Providence Walkway project progresses, a separate Housing Authority development , the newly built Park Avenue apartments , is simultaneously moving toward its opening.
The Housing Authority has released the monthly contract rent figures for the Park Avenue apartments. It is important to note that these amounts reflect only the Park Avenue development and do not necessarily represent residents’ actual out-of-pocket costs following the application of rental assistance. Contract rent details specific to Providence Walkway were not made available.
Cole also emphasized that Columbia Housing Authority residents benefit from a broader network of supportive services, including after-school programming, case management, and a family self-sufficiency program designed to help households strengthen their financial standing through improved income, savings, and credit management.
