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Police Homeowner Loan Program

An Effective Practice

Description

The award-winning Police Homeowner Loan Program offers Columbia police officers low-interest (4%), short-term (20 year) financing with no down payment for the purchase of rehabilitated houses in low-income, inner-city neighborhoods. The program evolved from the Community Development Department's purchase-rehabilitation program for low-income neighborhoods. Prior to the inception of this program in 1995 few police lived in these neighborhoods. Residents report that a police officer moving into a neighborhood serves as a deterrent to criminal activity and the program forms a basis for community policing.

Goal / Mission

The goal of this program is to encourage police officers to reside in low-income neighborhoods in order to reduce criminal activity.

Results / Accomplishments

Through the program, 16 homes have been rehabilitated. Officers taking part include 9 white and 7 African-American officers, including three policewomen. Participants range in age from 23 to 49, and 7 have children. Community support for the program is very strong: two low-income neighborhoods near the target neighborhood demanded the city also recruit police homeowners for deteriorated houses in their areas, and this has now taken place. Residents report that a police officer moving into a neighborhood serves as a deterrent to criminal activity and the program forms a basis for community policing. Over 70 communities of all sizes have replicated the Police Homeowner Loan Program, and Columbia has produced a video and brochure in response to the demand for explanatory materials.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
City of Columbia
Primary Contact
Columbia, SC-Community Development
1225 Laurel Street, P.O. Box 147
Columbia, SC 29217
(803) 733-8315
Topics
Community / Crime & Crime Prevention
Economy / Housing & Homes
Organization(s)
City of Columbia
Source
MOST Clearing House
Date of implementation
1995
Location
Columbia, SC
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