SC Housing Launches Financial Assistance Program For Homeowners And Renters Impacted By COVID-19

The South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority has launched a new program to support South Carolina residents whose finances have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 25 million SC Stay rental and mortgage assistance program was launched on Thursday to provide first-come, first-serve financial assistance to make home payments.

Eligible homeowners and renters could receive up to $7,500 for six consecutive months of short-term rental and mortgage assistance for back rent and/or future rent payments.

The assistance is available for individuals and families who:

• Certify that they are eligible and their income is at or below 80% of county median income adjusted by family size. (to download requirement click here).
• Demonstrate that they are unable to pay all or part of the rent or mortgage, or are behind on their rent or mortgage, due to circumstances stemming from the coronavirus. Examples of this include, but are not limited to:
  • Lost wages due to layoff;
  • Reduced hours as a result of an employer going out of business or a reduction of staff; or
  • Inability to work due to infection with COVID-19 and required quarantine or quarantine of a family member, etc.
• Have landlord or lender confirmation of their past-due status and be willing to accept payment on their behalf.

Here’s how to apply:

To begin the initial application for rental and mortgage assistance through the SC Stay program, visit http://scstay.org/ or call (833) 985-2929. Following an initial screening, one of SC Housing’s contract processing agencies will reach out to applicants to complete the application process.

Funding for the program is being provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program—Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds, and is part of the CARES Act.

“Affordable, safe and decent housing is a basic human need – and never has that been made more clear than during this COVID-19 pandemic,” said Bonita Shropshire, executive director of SC Housing. “We know that tens of thousands of South Carolinians have and continue to be impacted by this health and financial crisis. Our hope is that this assistance will help more people remain in their homes during this critical time.”

To know more about the program visit www.schousing.com.