Mayor’s Minute: A pretty sweet birthday gift. 🏡

Good morning, Cola. This week, we have two major updates for programs on both the local + federal level:

1️⃣ Locally, the City of Columbia Community Development Department is celebrating 40 years of building communities. 🎈🎊 As their version of a birthday gift to you, Community Development is offering an Affordable Housing Loan Program to new homebuyers for a limited time: It includes a max purchase price of $150,000 with only a $500 required down payment, regardless of sales price.

Program eligibility + cool features:

eligible properties are single family homes within the City of Columbia City limits
low interest rates
no primary mortgage insurance (PMI)
applicants must receive homeownership training provided by the City

More info online or via a loan officer at 803-545-3373.

2️⃣ Nationally, the first day of the 2018 Affordable Care Act Enrollment period was Nov. 1 and will last until Dec. 15. ⚕ This is a shorter enrollment period than previous years, so it’s important to act quickly. If you don’t act by Dec. 15, you will not be able to get 2018 coverage unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

Plans sold during Open Enrollment start January 1, 2018. Thanks to financial assistance, most consumers can find plan options with premiums between $50-100 per month. More info here.

‘Til next time,

–Mayor Steve Benjamin

We’ve got an exciting day ahead of us today: at 9 a.m. our team is presenting at 1 Million Cups, talking about how COLAtoday came to be – and then tonight we’ll be in Five Points, taste-testing the new Rippers menu at Jake’s on Devine. Follow along on our Instagram story to join in on the fun.

–Sam

#DYK that your open real estate listings can be featured in our newsletter? Head over to the Digs Page and let us help you rent or sell your property.