Columbia SC experts discuss affordable housing solutions in the Midlands

South Carolina has a housing crisis.

A 2021 report from SC Housing found that over the last decade, the median household income has not kept pace with the rising cost of housing. Almost a quarter of renters in the state spend more than half their earnings on housing.

In 2016, researchers from Princeton determined that South Carolina had the worst eviction rate of any state.

It’s time to talk about housing in the Midlands. The State and Central Carolina Community Foundation will host an online forum about affordable housing in South Carolina. We have invited local experts to discuss the barriers South Carolinians face in finding safe and affordable housing and what can be done to solve the problem.

The virtual event will take place on March 3 at 1:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live at www.thestate.com. Viewers can also tune in on The State’s Facebook page or our Youtube channel.

Longtime city government reporter and current business reporter Chris Trainor will moderate.

Panelists will cover a wide range of topics including eviction, zoning rules and subsidized housing. Readers are encouraged to submit their questions, comments, ideas and personal stories related to affordable housing using this form. Your feedback will help inform the discussion.

We hope to see you there. You can RSVP to the event today here.

Learn more about the panelists below:

Edward H. McDowell Jr.

Columbia City Council Member

Allison Terracio

Richland County Council Member

Suzanne Brooks

Executive Director at Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity

Sue Berkowitz

Director of SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center

Larry Salley

Housing and Economic Development Committee Chairman

Moderated by Chris Trainor, longtime City Government reporter and current Business reporter

This story was originally published February 24, 2022 at 12:33 PM.