The City of Rock Hill is located in York County in north-central South Carolina. It was established as a rail depot in 1852 and was incorporated as a city in 1892. Rock Hill is the largest municipality in York County and serves as the center of the economic activity for the eastern portion of the county. For many years, the city's economy was dominated by the textile industry, but in recent decades the city has developed a diversified industrial and service oriented business base. Winthrop University, which moved to Rock Hill in 1895, has had a major influence in the educational, economic and cultural development of the city. In addition to the internally-generated growth, the city has been heavily influenced in recent years by the growth of the Charlotte urban area.
Rock Hill's Consolidated Plan includes a five-year strategy and one-year action plan that addresses housing and community development issues in Rock Hill. The Action Plan serves as a formula application for $650,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and approximately $70,000 in program income. These monies will predominately fund affordable housing, neighborhood empowerment and public service activities.
Citizen Participation is integral to the development of the Consolidated Plan. As a result, Planning staff made a conscious effort to expand upon the public hearing requirements stipulated in the Citizen Participation Plan. Public hearings were held at each of the city's neighborhood centers and City Hall.
All citizens were invited to attend any of the six meetings to provide input on the needs assessment of the community. All of the meetings had the same agenda, so it was not necessary to attend more than one meeting. Each meeting began with an overview of the consolidated planning process and the Community Development Block Grant program, including national objectives and eligible activities. Then, needs assessment surveys were distributed and the floor was open for public comment.
The meetings were advertised in the Rock Hill Herald as "display
ads" on Wednesday, February 22, 1995; Monday, March 6, 1995; and Monday,
March 20, 1995. Other forms of advertisement included flyers that were posted
at the meeting sites, ads on the City's cable television station, Channel 99;
and the frieze in the rotunda in City Hall. At each of the hearings, those in
attendance were given extra surveys to distribute to their neighbors.
York County is part of the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill Metropolitan Statistical Area as defined by the 1990 Census. The seven county Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is ranked as the 34th largest metropolitan area in the nation. Its 1990 population of 1,162,093 represents a 19.6 percent growth rate between 1980 and 1990.
The population of Rock Hill as reported by the 1990 Census is 41,643. This represents a growth rate of 14.29 percent from 1980 population of 36,435. Rock Hill was reported as the seventh largest city in South Carolina in 1990. The city has shown positive growth for a number of years, a result of both the strong economic picture of the area and an aggressive annexation policy.
In terms of racial composition, 60.42 percent of the total population is white while 38.14 of the total population is black and 1.44 percent is classified as "other races." Comparisons with 1980 Census figures reveal that all racial groups grew in population over the ten-year period. The white population grew at a rate of 13.2 percent, the black population grew at a rate of 24 percent while the population of other races grew 85.8 percent.
The 1990 Census reports 15,682 year-round housing units in Rock Hill. Of these, 93.54 percent are occupied and 6.46 percent are vacant. Of the occupied housing units, 7,092 are owner- occupied and 6,767 are renter-occupied. Of the total units, 69.4 percent are single family, 27.2 percent are multi-family and 3.4 percent are mobile homes.
Income levels in Rock Hill are lower than in York County as a whole. Per capita income according to 1990 Census figures is $11,481. This compares to a per capita income of $13,306 for York County and $11,897 for the State of South Carolina. The median family income is reported as $31,404. This is slightly higher than the state median family income of $30,797, but somewhat lower than the national median of $35,225. In general, income statistics demonstrate that Rock Hill has income levels that are about average for the state.
However, the city is in one of the wealthiest counties in the state. York
County's median family income was $35,875, slightly higher than the national
median. Many higher income areas lie just outside the city to the north and
west in suburban areas, and also around Lake Wylie in northern York County. The
percent of persons below poverty level in Rock Hill as reported by the 1990
Census is 15.2 percent, somewhat higher than the 10 percent for York County.
Rock Hill is establishing itself as part of the Charlotte urban area. While this has positive implications for job growth and economic prosperity, it also drives up the cost of living, especially housing. A positive economic trend in Rock Hill is the new industrial and distribution businesses that have come to the city as a result of the efforts of the Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation. Over the past ten years, almost 1,500 new jobs have been created in the city's three industrial parks. Many of these jobs are available to low and moderate income persons.
The Consolidated Plan identifies several housing needs in Rock Hill. However, the predominant needs are affordable housing and homeownership opportunities for low and moderate income persons, housing programs that address the needs of the low and moderate income elderly and transitional housing. The continuation of the First-Time Homebuyers program is needed to address affordable housing cost burdens. Similarly, continuation of the Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation program is needed as an avenue for the elderly and other low and moderate income homeowners to maintain and repair their homes. Finally, transitional housing is needed to assist those homeless persons preparing to reenter the conventional housing market.
Of low-income owner households (incomes 50 percent or less), the elderly have the greatest housing need, followed by minority households, large families and small families. It should be noted that much of the elderly need revolves around owner-occupied rehabilitation. Also, 68 percent of low-income households are renters and 65% of low-income households contribute over 30 percent of their income to housing costs.
The 1990 Census reports a total of 15,682 housing units in the City of Rock Hill. Of these, 6.5 percent are vacant. The number of occupied housing units increased by 24.8 percent between 1980 and 1990. This rate is higher than the rate of population growth and, as a result, the number of persons per household decreased from 2.8 to 2.6 during this period.
Of the 14,669 occupied housing units, 53.8 percent are owner-occupied. Owner-occupied units increased by 10.9 percent between 1980 and 1990. The growth rate of renter-occupied housing units was much higher between 1980 and 1990 with the number of rental units increasing 46.3 percent. As a result, renter-occupied units represent 46.2 percent of the total number of occupied units. Of the rental units, 44.6 percent are single-family houses, 53.2 percent are multi-family units, and 2.2 percent are mobile homes.
Average household size continued to decline from 2.8 persons per household in 1980 to 2.6 persons in 1990. One major factor in this trend is the increase in single person households. Single person households represent 24.6 percent of all households.
Housing demand is strong in the Rock Hill area and new housing construction has increased dramatically from 1993 -1994. However, much of the single-family housing being constructed is not affordable to lower income households. Furthermore, Rock Hill's housing stock continues to age with approximately 11 percent of its housing stock built before 1939.
Low and moderate -income first-time homebuyers need downpayment and closing cost assistance, as it is often difficult for this segment to save the money needed for these expenses. This segment could also benefit from a homebuyer's education program.
The lower income elderly population could benefit from owner-occupied rehabilitation assistance. Much of this segment own their homes, yet have difficulty affording the needed repairs and maintenance.
There is no available estimate of homeless or potentially homeless persons in Rock Hill for any given point in time. While the 1990 Census reports 43 homeless persons being housed in emergency shelters, local service providers suggest the number is as much as ten times higher than this estimate. Data regarding race or ethnic origin of the homeless is not available. However, it is estimated that 40 percent of homeless persons served in Rock Hill are minority.
There are two primary homeless assistance providers in Rock Hill. Current needs of the homeless include additional short-term housing, transitional housing and support services. Interim housing for families preparing to reenter the conventional housing market is of primary importance.
The Rock Hill Housing Authority administers the public housing programs in the city. The Housing Authority manages a total of 828 units and operates 369 units throughout Rock Hill. There are 30 efficiencies, 90 one bedroom units, 128 two bedroom units, 88 three bedroom units, 25 four bedroom units, and 8 five bedroom units. The average vacancy rate for these units is less than two percent. As of January 1995, there are no new or planned housing projects.
The Housing Authority operates 312 units under the Section 8 Certificate and New Construction Program. Under the certificate program, there are 28 efficiencies, 71 one bedroom units, 168 two bedroom units, 40 three bedroom units and five four bedroom units. In addition, 87 one bedroom units for the elderly are operated under a Section 8 Contract Administration.
Families served by the Housing Authority range from single person households with an annual income of $14,600 to eight person households with an annual income of $44,050.
Approximately 143 families are listed on the Authority's waiting list for assisted housing. There are 62 families waiting for public housing and 81 families waiting for Section 8 housing. Of these families, 64 are claiming federal preferences. Families qualify for placement on the list if they have been involuntarily displaced, currently live in substandard housing, or are paying more than 50 percent of their income on rent. An average waiting period for assisted housing through the Housing Authority is difficult to determine. Some families must wait up to two years while the waiting period for others is quite less depending upon preferences and turnover.
Residential programs for persons with mental retardation, autism, head or spinal cord injuries and related disabilities in York County include the following programs administered by York County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs:
The York County Health Department provides health services, outreach, counseling, information, advocacy and referral services for the AIDS/HIV population in the area, but no known housing is provided.
In terms of homeownership opportunities, barriers to affordable housing are primarily financial. For many low- to moderate-income families, the cash needed for downpayment and closing costs presents a cost burden. Also, these households often are hampered by a poor credit history that hurts their chances of acquiring better housing. The city is actively working to address this barrier through its homeownership program.
Also, many low and moderate-income heads of households lack the required educational and job training that would allow them to obtain adequate housing. Zoning ordinances can create barriers when they require large parcels of land and have minimum square footage requirements. Such ordinances usually fail to keep pace with current residential development techniques and should be updated periodically.
The Rock Hill Planning and Development Department is conducting a study of impediments to fairs housing to be completed in 1996. A local Fair Housing Hotline has been set up to field fair housing complaints. Currently, there are no court orders, consent decrees, or HUD-imposed sanctions that affect the provision of fair housing remedies.
Current estimates conclude that there are 6,832 households within the city that have lead based paint problems. This figure was developed using data provided by HUD. Using this total, the city then estimates that there are 3,211 low-income households and 1,981 extremely low-income households in the city with lead based paint problems.
The Planning Department has been in contact with the lead coordinator for York County. According to the lead coordinator, York County DHEC is not currently tracking any children with lead poisoning.
Since 1991, CDBG funds have been utilized for street and drainage improvements to Crawford Road. A final phase of 2,350 linear feet is required to complete the project. That will be undertaken within the next five years.
Other non-housing community development projects include upgrading parks and
playgrounds, projects involving neighborhood centers, fair housing activities
and public services that benefit low and moderate income families.
Housing and community development needs are related to improvements to low income neighborhoods and housing needs. Community development objectives focus on the provision of decent affordable housing and a suitable living environment for persons of low and moderate- income.
Priorities for affordable housing include expansion and marketing of the First-Time Homebuyers program and Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation program and reestablishment of the Rental Rehabilitation program.
Priorities for homelessness alleviation includes funding the construction of a transitional housing facility.
Priorities for non-homeless persons with special needs include the support of supportive service through avenues such as utility extensions.
Priorities for nonhousing community development needs include street and drainage improvements, park and playground improvements in low income neighborhoods, projects involving neighborhood resource centers, fair housing activities and public services that low and moderate income families.
The City of Rock Hill's Planning and Development Department addresses the problem of poverty through its community development program. This program exists to provide safe, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income persons. The city will strive to increase the programs and resources available to assist low income residents. The city will also continue to support existing community programs that assist households that are below poverty level. Also, the city will encourage the expansion of housing rehabilitation programs that reduce slums and blighted conditions.
The Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation (RHEDC) also contributes to the anti-poverty strategy through its various economic development activities. RHEDC's mission is to sustain and expand the City's role as a location for economic activity so as to benefit Rock Hill and its residents through the creation of new jobs, expansion of the tax base and growth in utility revenues. RHEDC is involved in many activities such as business recruitment, strategic planning for attracting jobs and community education regarding economic development.
Community Development Block Grant funds are Rock Hill's primary support for community development services. CDBG Program Income is generated from rehabilitation loan funds as well. The City has access to HOME funds through the State. Non-profits have access to funding programs as well.
The Rock Hill Planning and Development Department is responsible for coordinating the Consolidated Plan activities. However, implementation of the plan involves a variety of government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private organizations. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the citywide goals and objectives for housing and community development established through the Empowering the Community (ETC) strategic planning process will relate to those set forth in the Consolidated Plan. ETC updates Empowering the Vision (ETV),
Rock Hill's nationally recognized ten year strategic plan designed to make
the city more livable. The process involves citizens and community leaders and assesses current
situations, identify future trends, creates a vision, investigates alternative solutions and makes
recommendations.
Rock Hill's Consolidated Plan contains an action plan that serves as a formula application for $650,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from HUD. These funds, plus approximately $70,000 in program income to the city from prior projects will support the following 1995-1996 activities:
Most of the projects provide services citywide. Other projects specifically target low/mod neighborhoods. Funding decisions are made annually by City Council.
Housing goals for the first year of action include assisting eleven first-time Homebuyers with downpayment and closing cost assistance, assisting six homeowners with owner-occupied rehabilitation assistance, reevaluating the Investor-Owner Assistance program and funding a eight unit transitional housing facility.
MAP 2 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, minority concentration levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within one of the neighborhoods.
MAP 6 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within another neighborhood.
Annie Williams
Director
Planning and Development
City of Rock Hill
PH: (803) 329-7080
