Columbia Gardens — Income-Restricted Housing in Columbia, SC 29205
4000 Plowden Road, Columbia, SC 29205
188 units · 184 income-restricted · 1–3 BR
Leasing office: (803) 782-2437Directions
How to apply
- Call the leasing office at (803) 782-2437 to ask about applying, vacancies, and waiting lists.
- These records do not show openings — call to confirm vacancies and waiting lists.
At this building
- Opened
- 1968
- Income limit
- 60% AMI
- Bedrooms
- 24 1 bedroom · 120 2 bedrooms · 36 3 bedrooms
- HUD inspection
- HUD inspection score: 59/100 (Feb 2026) HUD inspects subsidized buildings on a 0–100 scale. This is a snapshot, not a pass/fail grade.
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Nearby income-restricted buildings
Plowden Place Apts
3800 Plowden Rd, Columbia, SC 29205
0.2 mi away
24 units · 1–3 BR
- Affordability period may have ended — call to confirm
Heyward Street Apts
3808 Heyward St, Columbia, SC 29205
1.5 mi away
6 units · 2 BR
- Affordability period may have ended — call to confirm
Northeast Housing
105 Rosewood Hills Dr, Columbia, SC 29205
1.9 mi away
360 units · 1–3 BR
- Apply through Housing Authority of the City of Columbia
- Residents waited about 147 months to move in (HUD, Oct 2026)
- Several buildings — call for addresses
Oak & Senate St
Oak and Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29205
1.9 mi away
13 units · 1 BR
- Affordability period may have ended — call to confirm
Mid-Carolina Housing Corporation
3218 Bossom Street, Columbia, SC 29205
2 mi away
12 units · People with disabilities
Finlay House
2100 Blossom St, Columbia, SC 29205
2.5 mi away
204 units · 177 income-restricted · Studio–1 BR
Cherry Street Apts
2539 Cherry St, Columbia, SC 29205
2.7 mi away
4 units · 2 BR
- Affordability period may have ended — call to confirm
Gonzales Gardens
2225 College St Apt 111, Columbia, SC 29205
2.8 mi away
83 units · 1–3 BR
- Apply through Housing Authority of the City of Columbia
- Residents waited about 24 months to move in (HUD, Oct 2026)
Rents and income limits in 29205
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,270/mo
- Income needed to pay it at 30% of income
- $50,800/yr
- Renters in 29205 paying 30% or more of income on rent
- 56%
Income limits (2026)
Columbia, SC area · median family income $92,400. Your household's yearly income before taxes must be at or below the limit.
| People | Extremely low 30% | Very low 50% | Low 80% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $19,400 | $32,350 | $51,750 |
| 2 | $22,200 | $37,000 | $59,150 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $41,600 | $66,550 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $46,200 | $73,900 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $49,900 | $79,850 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $53,600 | $85,750 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $57,300 | $91,650 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $61,000 | $97,550 |
Section 8 vouchers: up to the 50% limit, and most go to households under 30%. Public housing: up to 80%. Tax-credit apartments: usually up to 60% of median income, between the 50% and 80% columns.
Fair market rents (2027)
HUD's estimate of rent plus utilities for a modest home. Housing authorities set Section 8 voucher limits from it.
| Size | 29205 | Wider area |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,030 | $992 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,170 | $1,126 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,270 | $1,226 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,600 | $1,546 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,820 | $1,754 |
Wider area = Columbia, SC. Two-bedroom fair market rents in 12 nearby ZIPs range from $1,150 (29204) to $1,640 (29225).
Census figures for 29205 (2020–2024 average): median rent $1,109. Median household income $64,231. 48% of homes are rented. 56% of renters pay 30% or more of their income on rent, and 30% pay half or more.
Census median rent is what renters here actually pay, including long-term leases. Fair market rent is HUD's estimate for a modest apartment available now.
Sources: HUD income limits FY2026; HUD Fair Market Rents FY2027 (Small Area FMR for ZIP figures); U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year 2020–2024. Each program and building can set its own limits — confirm with the property.
Estimate your Section 8 rent share
Project-based Section 8 is on the buildings above. A Housing Choice Voucher is different: you apply with the housing authority, then find a landlord who takes it. Your share of rent is based on income — not always 30%. The calculator uses 29205's fair market rent.
Estimate your Section 8 rent share for 29205Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Columbia Gardens?
Call (803) 782-2437 and ask about applying, vacancies, and waiting lists at Columbia Gardens in Columbia, SC 29205. These records do not show openings.
Is Columbia Gardens Section 8 housing?
Columbia Gardens is listed with a HUD-assisted or project-based Section 8 contract. The subsidy stays with the apartment. A Housing Choice Voucher is different — you apply with the housing authority. Confirm the program when you call.
How many units are at Columbia Gardens?
Public records list 188 units at Columbia Gardens in Columbia, SC 29205. That is a building size, not a count of open apartments.
Are there other affordable apartments near Columbia Gardens?
Yes — this page lists other income-restricted buildings in 29205 and nearby ZIP codes. Open a nearby card for the address and phone. Lists still do not show vacancies.
People Also Ask
How do I get into Columbia Gardens?
Call the number on this page and ask about the waiting list or how to apply at Columbia Gardens in Columbia, SC 29205. Public housing is through the housing authority. Bring ID and income documents when they tell you to. This site cannot submit an application for you.
How do I qualify for affordable housing in Columbia, SC 29205?
Most income-restricted buildings in Columbia, SC 29205 serve households at or below 50% or 80% of area median income. HUD's 2026 very low-income (50%) limit for a 1-person household is $32,350, and $46,200 for a 4-person household. Public housing can go up to 80% ($51,750 for 1 person). Each building sets its own cap — call to confirm before you apply. Citizenship, household size, and local preferences can also apply.
What is the income limit for low-income housing in Columbia, SC 29205?
For many programs in Columbia, SC 29205, the 2026 HUD very low-income (50%) limit is $32,350 a year for 1 person and $46,200 for 4 people. The low-income (80%) limit is $51,750 for 1 person. Tax-credit buildings often use 60% of median income. Confirm with the property — they can be stricter.
How much rent do you pay for low-income housing in Columbia, SC 29205?
In public housing and most Section 8 in Columbia, SC 29205, tenants typically pay about 30% of adjusted income. HUD's 2027 fair market rent for a 2-bedroom near Columbia, SC 29205 is $1,270 a month (rent plus utilities for a modest unit). Tax-credit apartments use set rents below market, not always 30% of income. Call the building for the actual rent; this site is not a vacancy or price list.
Does Columbia Gardens take Section 8 vouchers?
Columbia Gardens is listed with project-based Section 8 or HUD assistance — the subsidy is on the unit, so you usually apply at the building rather than bringing a tenant voucher. Ask when you call whether they also accept Housing Choice Vouchers.
Sources: HUD LIHTC database, 2024 (released Apr 2026); HUD Multifamily Assisted Properties, Oct 2026; HUD Public Housing Developments, Oct 2026. Not affiliated with HUD or USDA. Details can be out of date — confirm with the property before applying. Report a correction. To add a different building, use the suggestion rubric.