Are you struggling with rent and mortgage payments?
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.
Click here to complete the initial application. If you need additional assistance, SC Stay’s toll-free hotline can be reached by calling 833.985.2929 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday – Friday.
Program Details and Availability
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 the following requirements:
- 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.
Information For Renters
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has issued a national eviction moratorium through March 31, 2021. But the moratorium does not stop all evictions and does require renters to take action for eviction protection.
South Carolina Legal Services has a guide to help renters who are facing eviction. It details the steps that renters must take to seek protection. You can also contact them directly at 888.346.5592
Learn more about how the national eviction moratorium from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control may protect you and your family, and find copies of the Declaration that every adult in your household must sign at this Q&A from the NLIHC (also available in Spanish).
If you are looking for immediate help paying your rent, please refer to to SC Housing’s list of resources we’ve created for renters.
Information For Homeowners
There is a foreclosure moratorium currently in place for federally backed mortgages. There are also programs to help you work through the forbearance and foreclosure process.
Whether you are an SC Housing customer or not, you can benefit from these resources we’ve put together to help you avoid foreclosure.
SC STAY FORMS TO FILL OUT:
Application Information Checklist
Communication Designee Form
Limited Power Of Attorney
SC Stay Third-Party Authorization Form – Mortgage Assistance
SC Stay Third-Party Authorization Form – Rent Assistance