SC Housing providing $5 million in rent assistance

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SC Housing, a self-sustaining housing finance agency that works to create affordable housing, is providing $5 million in emergency rental assistance to state residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program will provide up to $1,500 to eligible renters facing financial hardship because of shutdowns, layoffs, reduced work hours or furloughs. Payments, in the form of a one-time lump sum toward rent, will be made directly to landlords or management companies.

The assistance will be administered through statewide nonprofit SC Thrive. Applications are available online at scthrive.org/covid-19-rental-assistance-program.

SC Thrive provides online resources, training programs and more than 400 strategic partnerships addressing food security, health care and financial stability.

"Over the months of social distancing measures required to prevent the further spread of this deadly disease, the COVID-19 crisis has turned lives updside down in our communities," Tricia Richardson, CEO of SC Thrive, said in a news release. "Many businesses have been shut down temporarily, schools have been forced to close, and South Carolinians all over the state have lost their obs. As we navigate this crisis, SC Thrive is committed to helping the residents of South Carolina access the resources they need to survive." 

Applicants must be S.C. residents with a maximum household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (.pdf) for their county of residence. Documentation demonstrating the effect of the pandemic on their employment or income beginning March 20 or later must be provided.