Love Columbia Online Information Library Celebrates 5 Year Anniversary

When we opened our doors in 2008, we started gathering information about local resources to distribute to our clients. Eventually, our walls were lined with plastic trays that contained over 100 handouts! In 2019, we transferred all this information to an online information library on our website. We have steadily expanded content, and added special features such as:

• A weekly low-cost rental openings list to assist community members to find housing in an ever tightening market.
• Career Next Steps microsite to provide a clearinghouse of local educational and employment opportunities and pathways to career advancement. 

In 2023, the Information Library had 195,314 views! Celebrate with us by checking it out!

Photos of our Information Librarian, Leo Agnew

Homeownership Program Celebrates 1 Year

In January 2023, we began a homeownership program to prepare low income, first time home buyers and certify them to qualify for City of Columbia down payment assistance. We have developed an amazing team of local lenders, realtors, insurance agents, and home inspectors who provide instruction and support the program.

So far, 74 people have graduated from the program, and 15 (10 from Habitat and 5 from the community) have purchased homes. For information about the homeownership program, and our pre-homeownership classes, call Love Columbia at 573-256-7662 and press option 5 to register or email homebuyer@lovecolumbia.org

Local professionals assist with January homebuyer education: Jordan Barnes, Melanie Spradling, and Jack Roush

Starter Home Supply Increases

Lack of available affordable homes has been the biggest challenge for our homeownership program graduates. We were delighted when Anderson Homes stepped up to fill this void by creating a foundation to build and sell new homes below market value. Russ Anderson, owner of Anderson Homes, grew up in poverty in Columbia, created a successful business here, and wants to help others build wealth through homeownership. He and Mark Briley co-founded Anderson Homes Foundation and established My First Home program to partner with Love Columbia to provide homes for our program graduates. Three homes are currently under construction. To learn more, contact Sherry Wyss at sherryw@lovecolumbia.org.

Arise Dwellings, a local small business, has purchased 14 properties in north central Columbia and plans to renovate and build to create affordable homes for first time home buyers. They have also led the way in development of Accessory Dwelling Units to create more housing and support low-income homeowners with rental income. Local nonprofits Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA) and Job Point also have exciting homebuilding projects underway.

Construction underway on initial My First Home project

Love Columbia partnership with Arise Dwellings team

Exciting Start to 2024

VITA Free Tax Preparation

Love Columbia is hosting our third annual VITA free tax preparation service to help our low income neighbors meet tax filing requirements and secure the tax refunds and credits they are eligible to receive. Trained volunteers will be on hand to provide assistance on Fridays, starting February 16. If interested, call 573-256-7662 Ext. 160

RentWell

Love Columbia’s key to being an informed, preferred and certified renter. RentWell is a six-part class designed to make you a renter that landlords prefer. Topics include: What do landlords want? Can I afford it? Where can I find a rental? Where can I get legal help if needed? As well as information on maintenance, safety, communication, who’s responsible and more. For more information or to enroll in RentWell, email referral@lovecolumbia.org and mention that you are interested in the RentWell class.

Living On A Fixed Income

Love Columbia announces “Living on a Fixed Income” a new monthly educational support group, to begin February 8, 2:30-4:00 pm. The group will meet every second Thursday in our Community Room and include a Zoom option for those who want to join remotely. Each meeting will include: 

• Money saving skill or tip (guest presenters)
• Information about community resources and free/low cost activities
• Opportunity to meet and share with others  

These fun events will give you new information to stretch your dollars, support  for the journey, and friends who can relate to your situation!  RSVP is helpful, but not necessary. Email Neita Collins at neitac@lovecolumbia.org or call 573-256-7662 ext. 160. We hope to see you there!