South Carolina

Behind on your mortgage? SC homeowners can now apply for millions in COVID-19 assistance

A foreclosed home is shown in 2010 on Pine Island in Lee County, Fla. The Treasury Department is investigating the expenditures of housing agencies in 18 states, including Mississippi, and the District of Columbia that used federal funds aimed at bailing out homeowners in danger of losing their properties to foreclosure, alleging that some misspent the money and will have to repay it.
A foreclosed home is shown in 2010 on Pine Island in Lee County, Fla. The Treasury Department is investigating the expenditures of housing agencies in 18 states, including Mississippi, and the District of Columbia that used federal funds aimed at bailing out homeowners in danger of losing their properties to foreclosure, alleging that some misspent the money and will have to repay it. Chris O'Meara AP file

South Carolina homeowners struggling to pay their bills may be able to get help through a new multi-million dollar pandemic relief program.

SC Housing, the state’s housing finance and development authority, received more than $144.6 million through the federal American Rescue Plan Act to launch the SC Homeowner Rescue Program.

The goal is to help homeowners who were financially impacted by COVID-19 catch up on housing related expenses including:

  • Mortgage payments

  • Mortgage reinstatements

  • Delinquent property taxes

  • Delinquent utilities

  • Down payment assistance loans

The program is limited to those who earn 150% or less of the area median income.

Eligible applicants can receive up to 36 months of assistance. The program will run through September 2026.

Applicants must provide the following documents:

  • Government-issued photo I.D.

  • Proof of home ownership (copy of deed, property tax bill, etc.)

  • Proof of income (tax return, W-2, 1099, etc.)

Residents can apply on the SC Housing Website or call 803-702-5222 for assistance.

This story was originally published March 31, 2022 at 8:53 AM.

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Rebecca Liebson
The State
Rebecca Liebson covers housing and livability for The State. She is also a Report for America corps member. Rebecca joined The State in 2020. She graduated from Stony Brook University in 2019 and has written for The New York Times, The New York Post and NBC. Her work has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, the Hearst Foundation and the Press Club of Long Island. Support my work with a digital subscription
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