March 1, 2021 – SC Stay is no longer accepting applications for rental and mortgage assistance. Please see the updated status list of CARES Act and other rental assistance programs. South Carolina will get additional rental assistance funds, hopefully later this month. The list will be updated as soon as we know the agencies that will administrator the program. SCLS continues to represent tenants and homeowners facing eviction and foreclosure. For free legal representation refer qualified applicants to 1 888 5592 or for on-line intake www.lawhelp.org/sc/online-intake.
If you’re struggling with housing mortgage or rent payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, help is available. The new SC Stay program from SC Housing provides assistance to households unable to pay rent or mortgage payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The application period is now open for the program that may cover up to six months of rental or mortgage payments, up to $7,500, for eligible applicants.
The S.C. State Housing Finance and Development Authority (SC Housing) has been tasked by the State of South Carolina as the lead agency in providing safe, decent and affordable housing for all citizens of South Carolina. Through Community Development Block Grants made available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the S.C. Department of Commerce, approximately $25 million in CARES Act funding will be made available for rental and mortgage assistance to eligible low-income families in South Carolina.
CDBG funding will be available for up to six consecutive months of short-term rental and mortgage assistance for applicant individuals and families who meet certain requirements.
If you can do the following, you may be qualified for assistance.
- Must certify that they are eligible and their income is at or below 80% of county median income adjusted by family size.
- Must 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 a quarantine of a family member, etc.
- Must have landlord or lender confirmation of their past-due status and be willing to accept payment on their behalf.
To review all of the eligibility requirements, obtain more information, and to register for the program, visit this link.