Grants for Homeowners in South Carolina

How can I get a home improvement grant in South Carolina?

Home improvement or home repair grants and loans in South Carolina or any other state in the US are available to low and moderate-income homeowners, renters, and lenders. These funds may primarily be used by low-income families with children, low-income single parents, low-income senior citizens, veterans, and disabled people. The eligibility requirements on these funds vary on income, age, type of property, as well as the location of the property. Reaching out to federal, state and county agencies that administer grant and loan programs and getting informed of the documents and eligibility requirements is your first step.

Did you know that there are several Ohio solar incentives, rebates, and programs expiring in 2023? Before you start worrying, you should know that there are unbelievable new incentives here now! Check out one of the most popular resources for learning about these programs in the link below.

Access Ohio Solar Programs

For convenience, search and apply for South Carolina home repair grants online. You can start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD official office, found in the City of Columbia, https://www.hud.gov/states/south_carolina/offices or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link: https://www.hud.gov/states/south_carolina/homeownership/homerepairs. HUD provides federal assistance to local administrations and organizations, such as the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) or the HOME Investment Partnership Program.

As a state, South Carolina offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, have affiliate offices all over South Carolina that can help your home improvement projects by providing volunteer labor and free or discounted materials. You can find and contact your local office, and get informed on the programs they offer, as well as the documents and eligibility requirements: https://www.habitat.org/local/affiliate-by-state?state=SC.

If you need to connect with available resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, SC 211 is also a great place to start. SC 211 is an information and referral service provided by the United Way Association of South Carolina. This is a free, live telephone service available on a 24-hour basis to connect residents to a variety of human services or social services across the state. According to their official website, the 2-1-1 call specialists can be found in every state and they are available 24/7 to help callers find such services as mortgage, rent, and utility assistance, food, emergency shelter, health care, counseling, support groups, etc., that are available right in their communities. https://sc211.org/

Explore comprehensive home improvement programs available in your area. Whether you're looking to upgrade your windows, install a new roof, or completely remodel your home, find out how these programs can help you achieve your goals with financial assistance and expert advice.

Access Ohio Home Improvement Programs

How can I get a solar grant in South Carolina?

South Carolina offers renewable energy and energy efficiency incentive programs, which are available for residential customers, small and large businesses, and government agencies, to improve the environment and stimulate sustainable economic development and growth. Going solar in 2021 is essential for reducing carbon emissions by using renewable clean energy from the sun and lowering your monthly energy costs. Beyond the federal ITC, South Carolina offers additional incentives for going solar, depending on where you live and who your utility company is.

The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit or ITC is a federal policy that supports the use of solar energy in the USA. This policy represents a 26% tax credit claimed against the tax liability for solar systems on residential and commercial properties. South Carolina’s average cost of a solar panel installation ranges from $13,132.00 to $17,768.00. You can apply for this credit on your taxes when you purchase solar systems and install them on your roofs.

The percentage that you can get is the following:

26 percent for projects that begin construction in 2021 and 2022,
22 percent for projects that begin construction in 2023,
After 2023, the residential credit drops to zero while the commercial credit drops to a permanent 10 percent.

To apply for this credit you must meet certain criteria, such as:

The solar PV system is located at your primary or secondary residence in the United States, or for an off-site community solar project, if the electricity generated is credited against, and does not exceed, your home’s electricity consumption,
You own the solar PV system (i.e., you purchased it with cash or through financing but you are neither leasing nor are in an arrangement to purchase electricity generated by a system you do not own),
The solar PV system is new or being used for the first time. The credit can only be claimed on the “original installation” of the solar equipment.

Eligible residents can get a 25% tax credit from the final cost of a new renewable energy system in South Carolina. The South Carolina Solar Tax Credit can only take $3,500.00 or 50% of your tax liability per year. This credit has no expiration date and any excess credit may be carried forward up to 10 years.

South Carolina residents in the Santee Cooper service territory can receive up to $9,600.00 worth of rebates toward the cost of installing solar panels on a home or business. Under their updated program, a rebate of $1.60 per watt-AC is available for residential customers in South Carolina. The Solar Home Program provides rebates to eligible residential customers for the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for electric generation at their homes.

How can I get a debt grant?

Although getting a grant that will completely cover all of your debt is NOT available, there are still several other options in South Carolina to consolidate and lower your debts. While the government and government-approved agencies do not typically provide debt grants, they do offer a variety of programs that can assist consumers who are struggling with their finances or overwhelmed with credit card debts. Many credit counselors offer debt consolidation programs that can lower the interest rate on your outstanding debts, like high-interest credit card debts. Another option at your disposal is the debt consolidation loans where a debt consolidation lender pays off your debts and all you are left with is one single payment for this new loan. The third option is debt settlement in which a debt negotiator works out a settlement with your creditors.

If you’re facing unmanageable debt, a Debt Management Program might be the answer. This program helps you pay off your debt to multiple creditors with a single, comfortable monthly payment. When you sign for this kind of program at any of the available agencies, they negotiate better terms for you from each of your creditors. The payment then goes to your chosen agency and they distribute those funds on your behalf. A debt management plan is not a loan, but an agreement between debt management companies and creditors on your behalf. Although this is NOT a grant, you still save money in interest and fees. Before you agree to a debt management plan, it is advisable to get help from a credit counseling organization. Debt Management Plans usually last from 36 to 60 months. The link below shows a list of approved credit counseling agencies in the state of South Carolina you may contact:

https://apps.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm?webListAction=search&searchstate=SC

You can also try and reduce your debt by applying online for debt counseling services at InCharge.org, a non-profit organization. This organization has a debt management program that works directly with creditors to consolidate your debt through the method of combining multiple debts into one monthly payment, reduce the interest rate on your credit, and create a monthly payment plan that you can afford.

Another financial strategy to pay off your debts is through a Debt Consolidation Loan. This means getting a loan to pay off all of your debts and then make single monthly payments to your lender. The advantages are that debt consolidation loans usually carry a lower interest rate, and these loans usually take 2 to 5 years to repay, depending on the amount. The loans can be secured by a home, car, or property or be unsecured.

Debt Settlement is your third option, in which a debt negotiator works out a settlement with your creditor. This settlement reduces your existing loan principles and credit card balances by a substantial margin. This option is a prime alternative to bankruptcy.

If you are having credit card debts, you can use a Balance Transfer Credit Card. This type of card typically comes with a promotional, low, or zero percent interest rate, which lasts usually 12-18, but in some cases could go for 24 months.

Are there homeowner grants for bills?

The government or other available grant programs can provide financial aid to help pay for housing, rent, utilities, medical supplies, or even transportation costs. There are resources for low-income families, single mothers, seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and their families, the unemployed, the underemployed, and others in need. Residents of South Carolina impacted by the Covid-19 crisis may also use these programs. Many utility companies in South Carolina also have programs to assist low-income customers. These funds may help you pay your utility bills or lower the amount of energy you use.

South Carolina Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP is a federally-funded program that provides for a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households pay their heating and cooling bills. This program can be found in all US. There are eligibility requirements based on income, residence, and the applicant’s use of social service programs. Funding is also available for those who are or have been affected by COVID-19. Your household income must be at or below 60% of the state median income. Start by applying online: https://benefitsapplication.com/program_info/SC/LIHEAP.

The South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority (SC Housing) administers an SC Stay Plus Program. It provides up to 12 months of rent and/or utility assistance. The program is currently available to residents in 39 counties across the state of South Carolina financially impacted by Covid-19 with a household income at or below 80% of county median income. If you meet the documents and eligibility requirements, apply here:

https://schousing.com/Home/SC-Stay-Plus.

Some counties in South Carolina have their own assistance programs to help their residents. Anderson County, for example, operates a Covid Relief Program to provide residential rent and utility assistance for qualified residents of Anderson County. Prioritizing assistance is given to households with incomes less than 50% of area median income and to households with one or more members that have been unemployed for at least 90 days. These funds will be paid directly to landlords and utility service providers who agree to participate in CRF.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is also available to residents of Richland County, Berkeley County, Horry County, and Greenville County impacted by the Covid 19 crisis. These finds may be used in rent and utilities.

The Economic Impact Payment (EIP) is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), and it was created with the intent to provide financial relief to qualifying individuals impacted by COVID-19. The Third Economic Impact Payment is now available to eligible residents of South Carolina. Generally, if you’re a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien, you are eligible for $1,400.00 (or $2,800.00 for a joint return), plus an additional $1,400.00 for each qualifying dependent, if you (and your spouse if filing a joint return) aren’t a dependent of another taxpayer on a 2020 tax return, have a valid Social Security number and your adjusted gross income (AGI) does not exceed the given amount. For more information, visit the following link: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment.

TANF South Carolina Assistance for Families provides financial assistance to all families in the US with children under the age of 18. These funds may be used for paying bills. You may apply for TANF benefits online at the following link:

https://dss.sc.gov/assistance-programs/tanf/how-do-i-apply/.

Are there tax grants for homeowners?

Although there are no specific tax grants for homeowners, there are cases in which you can get help with your debt to the IRS. South Carolina offers property tax relief programs for the permanent residence of qualified homeowners., including senior citizens and veterans.

South Carolina offers a complete Property Tax Homestead Exemption for permanently and totally disabled veterans, prisoners of war, and a medal of honor. A disabled veteran or their surviving spouse in this state may receive a full property tax exemption if the veteran is 100 percent disabled as a result of service. South Carolina Military Retired Pay Income Tax is also available to veterans in the state. Taxpayers under the age of 65 may deduct $17,500.00 for 2020. Taxpayers must have other earned income, other than the military retired pay, to take the deduction. Taxpayers age 65 and older may deduct $30,000.00 for 2020. For taxpayers age 65 and older, there are no requirements for other earned income.

South Carolina allows those who are over 65, totally disabled, or legally blind to receive $50,000.00 exempt from the value of your property to be taxed. This South Carolina Property Tax For Senior Citizens is available for all persons over 65 and/or totally and permanently disabled. These benefits are usually available for a surviving spouse if the deceased spouse was 65 or older. The surviving spouse must be 50 years of age or older. State property taxes which are paid may be fully deductible for federal income tax purposes if you itemize your deductions on your federal return. To receive this exemption you must generally apply at your county auditor’s office by July 15 of the year in which it is to be initially claimed.

How can I get a grant to repair my home?

Home repair grants and loans are NOT given to anyone and for any purpose. The best way to get a grant to repair your home is to meet all the required criteria, have all the necessary documents, and submit your application within the given deadline.

Each of these grants varies in income, age, type of repair necessary, and location of the property. Very low income and low-income families, families with children, single parents, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and veterans have a primary position when it comes to approval. Repairing a home is a very broad subject and can cover many projects within. Unfortunately, not all of them are eligible for grant fundings. No one will give you free money if you don’t like the tiles in your bathroom or the color of your kitchen cabinets. Emergency repairs, including repairs addressing health and safety hazards, as well as home modifications that improve code violations are the only eligible repairs. Start by researching online on the available federal and state programs, then move to your county and city. Non-profit organizations, charities, and local churches also provide financial aid, volunteer labor, or discounted material you may use.

Keep in mind these funds are limited and they usually work on a first-come, first-served basis, so you want to be informed on time. Make sure you meet all the required criteria and you have all the necessary documents. Another fact you should know is that not all grants will be categorized specifically under home improvement needs. They may be related to broader themes such as conservation, community upgrades, veteran or low-income family support for all residents.

Non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, have affiliate offices all over South Carolina that can help your home improvement projects by providing volunteer labor and free or discounted materials. https://www.habitat.org/local/affiliate-by-state?state=SC. If you need to connect with available resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, SC 211 is also a great place to start. SC 211 is an information and referral service provided by the United Way Association of South Carolina. https://sc211.org/

How can I get a grant for windows?

Grants are available in South Carolina to help with the cost of repairing or installing new windows if your current windows are cracked, broken, leaking, old, or inefficient. Window repair and replacement are considered an emergency repair and it is usually covered by all home improvement grant and loan programs.

The South Carolina Weatherization Assistance Program is a program whose services include reducing home energy and utility bills. Although WAP is not a home improvement program and will not cover the cost of new windows, it can still provide minor repairs that can save you up to $300.00 on your utility bills. To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of South Carolina. To apply, use the link:

https://www.benefitsapplication.com/program_info/SC/WAP.

The South Carolina Department of Insurance operates an SC Safe Home Program that provides funding to qualified homeowners for property improvements to resist hurricane and high-wind damage. These funds may be used to repair or replace your windows through matching or non-matching South Carolina Safe Home Grant.

The cost of home improvement projects such as window repair may be covered by programs like Operation One Touch, available to low-income residents of Richland County. Assistance will be provided in the form of a deferred forgivable loan up to $12,000.00. Greenville County also helps its low-income residents through their Home Repair Assistance. And Lancaster County low-income residents may receive financial aid through their Home Repair Program. This program is funded by the Community Development Block Grant and provides funds for homeowners making needed safety and security repairs to their homes.

The City of Charleston offers a Substantial Rehabilitation Program and residents may qualify for the maximum loan amount of $80,000.00 from city funds, provided over a 20-30 year term. And window replacement is also an eligible project for the Repair Care Program in the Town of James Island.

If you are in need of such programs to repair or replace your windows, do your research about available funds within your city/county and all the documents and eligibility requirements. For convenience, search and apply for South Carolina home repair grants online. You can start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD official office, found in the City of Columbia, https://www.hud.gov/states/south_carolina/offices or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link: https://www.hud.gov/states/south_carolina/homeownership/homerepairs.

How can I get a grant for new flooring?

A home improvement flooring project is a complex and very expensive project. Whatever your home flooring style, you’re sure to face a repair or replacement project if you live in your home for a long time or have moved into an older property. Luckily, low and moderate-income homeowners in South Carolina can reach their local government or visit their government official site and apply for a home improvement grant or a zero-interest loan. These grants and zero or low-interest loans offer partial or complete financial aid to eligible homeowners, and they can be used for fixing health and safety-critical issues, as well as emergency repairs. Start your research online for federal, state, county, or city programs that may help you partially or completely lower your home improvement project cost.

If you are living in a rural area in South Carolina and anywhere in the US, getting help for repairing or replacing your flooring, as well as addressing foundation repairs, is possible by the federal program Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants or Section 504, a program operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This program offers 1% interest loans up to $20,000.00 to low-income homeowners and grants up to $7,500.00 to low-income people over 62. You can also make a combination of a loan and a grant and get up to $27,500.00. Grants can only be used to correct health and safety deficiencies on properties, and loans can be used in all home improvement projects.

If you are in need of such programs to repair or replace your flooring, as well as to address foundation repairs, do your research about available funds within your city/county and all the documents and eligibility requirements. You can start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD official office, found in the City of Columbia, https://www.hud.gov/states/south_carolina/offices or get informed on the available homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link:

https://www.hud.gov/states/south_carolina/homeownership/homerepairs.

Are there grants for the elderly?

Senior citizens living in South Carolina may get help from many federal, state, county, and city programs, as well as non-profit organizations and charities. This help can be in the form of home maintenance and minor repair services, transportation, assistive technology equipment, legal aid, food vouchers, and home-delivered meals, senior centers, caregiver counseling, and in-home respite care, etc. These assistance programs help the elderly, retirees, and older Americans, whether they have medical issues or not. The Older Americans Act (OAA) is a federal program that gives money to each state to provide assistance to elderly Americans who live outside of nursing homes. The goal is to help them remain living independently in their homes. In South Carolina, the federal money is distributed to 10 local agencies. These are referred to as Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). Each local agency establishes a series of programs with the funds they have been granted. Any senior resident of South Carolina aged 60+ is eligible to receive assistance under the Older Americans Act.

The South Carolina Department of Aging offers services and programs to assist older South Carolinians. Most of these services are provided by the state’s Area Agencies on Aging, found in many locations throughout SC. Services from local AAA offices are available to all seniors over age 60 who demonstrate adequate need. Find your local agency and get informed on the types of services they can help you with: https://www.getcaresc.com/about/area-agencies-aging.

The Appalachian Council of Governments (ACOG) serves as the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for the six-county Appalachian Region (Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg counties). Minor home repairs and vouchers to low-income seniors for use at local farmers’ markets are some of the available services through this organization.

South Carolina also offers support services for seniors in their homes and in assisted living communities through a Medicaid program called the Community Choices Waiver. The CCW is for individuals with disabilities that want to avoid placement within an institution. Some of the services provided include adult day care, transportation, nursing home transition, PERS, telephone monitoring, personal care, respite, case management, and others. This waiver is for those who are 65 and other, regardless if they have a disability or not.

Home Works is a non-profit home repair organization that repairs the homes of the elderly and disabled, with student and adult volunteers providing construction services to the homeowners. Home repair services are provided free of charge and include replacing roofs, constructing wheelchair ramps, gutting and replacing bathrooms, repairing ceilings, painting interior/exterior walls, and completing general home repairs.

South Carolina Housing Choice Voucher Program – Section 8 was formed and has been financed by the federal authorities for low and moderate-income residents. Seniors who are having economic problems are one of the priority groups for this program. Approximately 70 percent of the rent will be paid by this program. If you need public housing assistance or would like specific information about public housing programs such as housing choice vouchers, please contact your local Public Housing Agency at the link below:

https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/PHA_Contact_Report_SC.pdf.

For those with Medicare, the PACE program, or Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, can assist in securing the resources necessary for those who are in need of nursing care. PACE permits those who would normally qualify for a nursing home to receive care at home instead. While available across most of the state of South Carolina, PACE is actually a federal program under Medicare. The costs covered can include social services, medical, and long-term care expenses as applicable to program participants.

Are there grants for low income homeowners?

There is a variety of financial assistance available when it comes to home improvement grants and loans in South Carolina. You may be eligible for all kinds of federal, state, county, or city grant programs. Some non-profit organizations and charities also help families in need, giving priority to low-income families with children, seniors, single parents, people with disabilities, and veterans and their families.

If you are living in a rural area in South Carolina and anywhere in the US, getting help for home improvement projects is possible by the federal program Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants or Section 504, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This program offers 1% interest loans up to $20,000.00 to low-income homeowners and grants up to $7,500.00 to low-income people over 62. You can also make a combination of a loan and a grant and get up to $27,500.00. Grants can only be used to correct health and safety deficiencies on properties, and loans can be used in all home improvement projects. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also offers a Section 502 Single Family Direct Loan Program to income-eligible applicants living in rural areas.

The South Carolina Department of Insurance operates an SC Safe Home Program that provides funding to qualified homeowners for property improvements to resist hurricane and high-wind damage. You may qualify for a matching or non-matching South Carolina Safe Home Grant. Non-Matching Grants are for homes valued at less than $150,000.00, occupied by at least four people, and a total income level less than $42,550.00. Grant awards will not exceed $5,000.00. Although the funds are exhausted for this year, you may still apply for funding next year: https://online.scsafehome.sc.gov/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2F

The Hurricane Florence Recovery Program brings assistance to single-family homes or mobile homes that were damaged by Hurricane Florence. The South Carolina Disaster Recovery Office has listed eight eligible counties for assistance Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marlboro, and Marion.

Greenville County also helps its low-income residents through their Home Repair Assistance. Eligible repairs include roof repair or replacement, limited bathroom repair, wheelchair ramps, safety railings, and grab bars, etc. These funds are available to families with a household income at or below 80% of the area median income. The City of Greenville assists low-income homeowners to make repairs needed to correct serious housing deficiencies that threaten human health and safety or to correct items through their Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program. To be eligible, the property must be located within the City limits of Greenville, SC and its assessed value cannot exceed $125,000.00. Health and safety issues may include, but are not limited to, leaking roofs, electrical hazards, fire hazards, deteriorated floors, exterior walls or ceilings, handrails on porches and stairs, lead-based paint hazards, and more.

Lancaster County low-income residents may receive financial aid through their Home Repair Program. This program is funded by the Community Development Block Grant and provides funds for homeowners making needed safety and security repairs to their homes. Applicants are not required to make any monthly payments while they own and reside in their homes. The loan will be repaid when they sell the property or transfer ownership to someone else. If interested, and eligible, use the application at the following link to apply:

https://www.lchra.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/HRP-Initial-Questionnaire_Fillable.pdf

Spartanburg County receives an annual allocation of HOME and CDBG funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These funds are designed to provide or preserve affordable housing for families at or below eighty (80 %) percent of the Area Median Income. The Single Family Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program (SFOORP) provides assistance in the form of an 80% deferred forgivable loan and a 20% repayable loan. Each qualified owner-occupied dwelling unit is eligible for minimum assistance of $1,000.00. The total program limit for reconstruction for this program is $151,000.00.

The City of Charleston offers two home improvement programs to help its low-income residents. The Substantial Rehabilitation Program provides financial assistance to homeowners with major housing repair needs. The owner is required to provide a minimum of 20% of the cost of construction from private sources. Clients may qualify for the maximum loan amount of $80,000.00 from city funds, provided over a 20-30 year term. The Roof Replacement Program uses funds for roof replacements that are provided for homeowners who are at 80% and below the Area Median Income. Roof replacement repairs consist of correcting code-related items including roof covering, flashing, sheathing and roof structure, soffits, and gutters. If interested, and eligible, you may start the process by submitting this pre-application:

https://www.charleston-sc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/383/Rehabilitation-Program-Pre-Application?bidId=

The City of Rock Hill has several home improvement programs to help its residents. The Owner-Occupied Major Rehabilitation Program provides up to $20,000.00 to cover the cost of repairs that pose a threat to the health or safety of the occupant, such as electrical, plumbing, and structural hazards. Applicants are required to sign a ten-year deferred, forgivable loan or second mortgage. Applicant’s total income cannot exceed 80% of the area median income. To start your process, you must submit a pre-application:

https://www.cityofrockhill.com/home/showpublisheddocument/24110/636928370692570000.

Town of James Island homeowners in need of maintenance help may use the Repair Care Program, provided by the City in partnership with the Sea Island Habitat for Humanity (SIHH). Homeowners whose incomes fall under 80% of the area median income may receive funds for new ramps, roof repairs, window replacements, and more. Use the application below if you need such a program, and you meet all the required criteria:

https://www.jamesislandsc.us/Data/Sites/1/media/repair-care/repair-care-application.pdf

What are the easiest homeowner grants to get?

The easiest homeowner grants to get are those that have a solid foundation for requesting money, are well-thought-out, have a plan for the future, and are clear and concise in their goals and objectives. To obtain a grant, first, you look for an organization whose goals match what you need to have funded. Second, make sure you meet all the required criteria and you have all the necessary documents. All grants and loans vary by age, income, type of property, and the location of the property. These fundings are primarily available to low-income families, families with children, single parents, senior citizens, people with disabilities, veterans and their families. Homeowners impacted by natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes can also get financial aid for these types of grants.

For convenience, search and apply for South Carolina home repair grants online. To search or apply for grants, use the free, official website, Grants.gov. If you need such programs to repair your home, do your research about available funds within your city/county and all the documents and eligibility requirements.

You may also search and apply for South Carolina home repair grants online. You can start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD official office, found in the City of Columbia, https://www.hud.gov/states/south_carolina/offices or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link: https://www.hud.gov/states/south_carolina/homeownership/homerepairs.

Keep in mind, there are no “easy” grants to get. There is a reason these funds are only available to people meeting all the required criteria. They are here to help people in need live in homes without code violations and health and safety hazards.

Can I get a grant to renovate my house?

House renovation grants in South Carolina and any other state are available to applicants but ONLY if you need an emergency modification in your home to remove life-threatening health or safety conditions, as well as addressing code violations. You also must meet the required criteria and have all the necessary documents to apply for these funds. A grant to renovate your house is not available to anyone and for any purpose. There must be a solid foundation for requesting these funds. Very low and low-income homeowners, low-income families with children, single parents, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities are usually eligible to receive these funds. Homeowners impacted by natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes can also get financial aid for these types of grants.

Can I get a grant to repair my roof?

Repairing or replacing your roof is an expensive cost, but leaking and damaged roofs can present a hazard for you and your family. What may seem like a simple leak could wind up costing you thousands of dollars in repair costs. All roofs eventually break down and need replacement, no matter the type of material or how well they were maintained. There are several options in which you can get financial aid from federal and state agencies for a complete or partial replacement and repair. As a state, South Carolina offers one of the highest levels of support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. South Carolina home improvement grants and zero-interest loans are available to low-income homeowners to reduce the cost of their emergency repairs that present safety and health hazards, including problems with roofs. These grants are usually administered at a local level by governments and agencies.

If you are living in a rural area in South Carolina and anywhere in the US, getting help for home improvement projects including roof repair and replacement is possible by the federal program Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants or Section 504. This program offers 1% interest loans up to $20,000.00 to low-income homeowners and grants up to $7,500.00 to low-income people over 62. You can also make a combination of a loan and a grant and get up to $27,500.00. Grants can only be used to correct health and safety deficiencies on properties, and loans can be used in all home improvement projects.

As a state, South Carolina offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Almost all counties and major cities in the state of South Carolina offer home improvement grants and zero-interest or deferred payment loans. Damaged roofs are considered an emergency threat to household members and may be covered by the SC Safe Home Program, administered by the South Carolina Department of Insurance. This program provides funding to qualified homeowners for property improvements to resist hurricane and high-wind damage. Roof repair or replacement may also be covered by Operation One Touch Program in Richland County. Greenville County also helps its low-income residents through their Home Repair Assistance. Eligible repairs include roof repair or replacement and all families with a household income at or below 80% of the area median income may apply. Lancaster County low-income residents may receive financial aid through their Home Repair Program. And the Single Family Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program (SFOORP) provides assistance in the form of an 80% deferred forgivable loan and a 20% repayable loan to all low-income residents of Spartanburg County.

The City of Charleston offers two home improvement programs to help its residents. The Substantial Rehabilitation Program provides financial assistance to homeowners with major housing repair needs. The Roof Replacement Program uses funds for roof replacements that are provided for homeowners who are at 80% and below the Area Median Income. Roof replacement repairs consist of correcting code-related items including roof covering, flashing, sheathing and roof structure, soffits, and gutters. The City of Rock Hill has several home improvement programs to help its residents. The Owner-Occupied Major Rehabilitation Program provides up to $20,000.00 to cover the cost of repairs that pose a threat to the health or safety of the occupant, such as roof repair or replacement.

If you are in need and eligible for such programs to partially or completely cover the cost of your roof repair or roof replacement project, do your research about available funds within your city/county and all the documents and eligibility requirements. You can start by visiting or contacting your U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD official office, found in the City of Columbia, https://www.hud.gov/states/south_carolina/offices or get informed on the homeownership assistance and improvement programs on the following link: https://www.hud.gov/states/south_carolina/homeownership/homerepairs.

How do I apply for a federal home repair grant?

There are several places you can find available federal home improvement grants. The United States government has 26 agencies in charge of making grants. In addition to federal grants, some states have grant programs. Locate and contact your local government office. Government representatives, there will be able to advise you about eligibility requirements and other necessary criteria for applying for a grant. To search or apply for grants, you can also use the free, official website, Grants.gov. First, you have to register an account on this site. Then, you can search their site for their available grants and apply.

Besides meeting the required criteria and applying within the deadline, it is very important to have ALL the necessary documents. For example, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD provides all kinds of housing support and helps communities. If you live in a rural area, then you might be interested in The Very Low-Income Housing Repair Program – Section 504. Applicants interested in applying for a repair loan or grant can contact their local Rural Development office and provide the following documentation:

Form RD 410-4 (https://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/efcommon/eFileServices/eForms/RD410-4.PDF),
Form RD 3550-1 (https://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/efcommon/eFileServices/eForms/RD3550-1.PDF),
Form RD 3550-4
(https://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/efcommon/eFileServices/eForms/RD3550-4.PDF), and
All application items are listed in the Attachment 12-E checklist (https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RD-SFH-Attachment12E.pdf).

The applications are accepted year-round and their approval time depends on funding availability in your area.

How does HUD mortgage assistance work?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides housing grants to low-income families. These grants help families pay for rent, purchase or even rehabilitate a home. HUD also allocates grant funds to local governments and nonprofit agencies so they can develop their affordable housing program in their communities. HUD-approved counseling agencies are available in every state to help you find a housing grant in an area near you.

The approved housing agencies in South Carolina can be found at their site:

https://apps.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm?webListAction=search&searchstate=SC

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also funds an Emergency Homeowners Loan Program or EHLP, that provides mortgage help and loans to those homeowners who may be facing foreclosure due to a drop in household income from a job loss, underemployment, or reduction in working hours, involuntary unemployment, or a medical condition or emergency.

To qualify for this program you must fit certain criteria such as:

You must be at least three months behind on their monthly mortgage payment,
The home involved must be your primary residence,
You must have demonstrated a timely payment record on their mortgage before the job loss or medical condition or event that produced the reduction of income for the homeowner.

If you are struggling to make your mortgage payment on your FHA-insured mortgage because of the impacts of COVID-19, you might get help from the Special COVID-19 mortgage relief for homeowners with FHA-insured single-family mortgages. Your mortgage servicer is required to offer you a mortgage payment forbearance, which allows you to reduce or pause making payments for six months, with the option to extend for an additional six months if needed. You must request a COVID-19 Forbearance from your mortgage servicer by June 30, 2021, and no extra fees, penalties, or interest will be added to your account. If you can resume making your payments, FHA’s COVID-19 Standalone Partial Claim takes your past due amounts and puts them in a subordinate lien to be repaid later. You will only repay this lien when your mortgage ends, which, for most borrowers, is when you sell your home or refinance your mortgage.

Is the mortgage relief program legit?

Fannie Mae’s HIRO program and Freddie Mac’s Enhanced Relief Refinance or FMERR are the only active relief programs today. They provide mortgage incentives by replacing your existing loan with a new loan that has a lower interest rate and more affordable payments.

Fannie Mae’s HIRO program can be used only by homeowners whose mortgages are currently owned by Fannie Mae. This program allows homeowners to refinance with no equity or an underwater loan. If your home has lost value since you bought it and you don’t have enough equity to do regular refinance, then this is a great option. You can’t apply to this program if you previously used the Home Affordable Refinance Program or HARP, which was a similar project by Fannie Mae that expired.

Freddie Mac’s Enhanced Relief Refinance program can be used for existing fixed-rate mortgages and adjustable-rate mortgages. This program is intended to refinance into a more sustainable mortgage that promotes long-term homeownership success, to reduce the monthly principal and interest payment of your first Lien Mortgage, as well as if you are interested in potentially reducing principal and interest payment. Freddie Mac’s Enhanced Relief Refinance program is only available to homeowners whose mortgages are currently owned by Freddie Mac.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemics, there is also a Covid-19 Mortgage Relief Program. The COVID hardship forbearance applies to all federally backed and federally sponsored mortgages, which includes HUD/FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac mortgage loans. The Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) directed lenders holding federally-backed mortgages to suspend borrowers’ payments for up to a maximum of 360 days if they had experienced financial hardship due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Landlords of multi-family property mortgages can also receive relief. The CARES Act allows a 30-day forbearance for multi-family mortgages, and up to two 30-day extensions. You can apply for forbearance through Sept. 30, 2021, and will not be charged late fees or reported to credit bureaus.

Is there a grant for rewiring a house?

A home electrical wiring is an expensive project and you may be eligible for a grant to partially or completely cover the cost. There are several options in which you can get financial aid from federal and state agencies for rewiring your house. Some of these funds can only be used in electrical system repairs and upgrades, others include a new rewiring of your home. South Carolina home improvement grants and zero-interest loans are available to low-income homeowners to reduce the cost of their emergency repairs that present safety and health hazards, including problems with the electrical system. These grants are usually administered at a local level by governments and agencies.

As a state, South Carolina offers support to its residents, including new homeowners and long-time property owners alike. Richland County operates an Operation One Touch Program, that assists low and moderate-income residents with household repairs to their homes. Assistance will be provided in the form of a deferred forgivable loan up to $12,000.00. No repayment is required. Greenville County also helps its low-income residents through their Home Repair Assistance. Eligible repairs include repairing damaged electrical systems that are a threat to the household members. Lancaster County low-income residents may receive financial aid through their Home Repair Program. Applicants are not required to make any monthly payments while they own and reside in their homes. Spartanburg County administers the Single Family Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program (SFOORP), which provides assistance in the form of an 80% deferred forgivable loan and a 20% repayable loan. The City of Charleston also offers a Substantial Rehabilitation Program that provides financial assistance to homeowners with major housing repair needs. Clients may qualify for the maximum loan amount of $80,000.00 from city funds, provided over a 20-30 year term. The City of Rock Hill has several home improvement programs to help its residents. The Owner-Occupied Major Rehabilitation Program provides up to $20,000.00 to cover the cost of repairs that pose a threat to the health or safety of the occupant, such as electrical hazards.

If you are in need and eligible for such programs to partially or completely cover the cost of your electrical system upgrade, repair, or replacement, do your research about available funds within your city/county and all the documents and eligibility requirements and see if you qualify.

What is the Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program?

SC Stay Rental And Mortgage Assistance Program is a new program launched by SC Housing to assist South Carolina residents whose finances have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information about this program to help renters and homeowners, visit SCHousing.com. Those who qualify may receive up to $7,500.00 for six consecutive months of short-term rental and mortgage assistance for back rent to February 2020 and/or future rent payments. 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. 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.

The Hardest Hit Program is also available to South Carolinians impacted by a crisis. According to their official site, this program can help eligible homeowners in three ways.

Monthly Payment Assistance assists eligible households by making their monthly mortgage payments directly to their servicer, giving homeowners time to get back on their feet.
Direct Loan Assistance is designed to help if homeowners are behind on their mortgage payments, SC HELP may provide funds to get them caught up on their mortgage payments.
Transition Assistance helps homeowners with short-sale or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure expenses.

If you are a homeowner who has lost income directly or indirectly related to the coronavirus pandemic, you might be eligible for a forbearance. A forbearance is a program where the mortgage company delays, or forbears collecting monthly mortgage payments. You can contact your mortgage servicer to request a mortgage payment forbearance if you have an FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac mortgage.

What is a request for mortgage assistance?

A Request for Mortgage Assistance or RMA is the application you have to fill out to be considered for a mortgage loan modification. With a mortgage modification, you can permanently change one or more terms of your mortgage loan. This includes getting a lower interest rate, some or all late fees may be waived or reduced, your interest rate may be changed from an adjustable-rate loan to a fixed rate, the months or years the homeowner has to repay the loan may be lengthened, total loan principal may be reduced, as well as your second mortgage or equity loan could be waived.

https://www.hmpadmin.com/portal/programs/docs/hamp_borrower/rma_english_sd1110.pdf

This form requires detailed information about the borrower’s current financial situation. The information provided will allow the mortgage lender to determine the filer’s eligibility for mortgage assistance. This form includes your current income, debts, expenses, employment, bankruptcies, and other issues that will help the lender determine if you are eligible for mortgage assistance.

In the USA, modifications were made under the government’s Home Affordable Modification Program or HAMP.

To qualify for this program you must have fit certain criteria such as:

You are having trouble making your mortgage payments because of financial hardship,
You obtained your mortgage on or before January 1, 2009,
Your property has not been condemned,
You owe up to $728,750.00 on your primary residence or one to four-unit rental property.

Who can get a home improvement grant?

Low and moderate-income families, seniors, veterans, single parents, disabled people, people impacted by Covid 19, as well as people impacted by natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods can get home improvement grants or zero-interest loans. In the case of home improvement grants, funds are available to help homeowners renovate their homes, and bringing them up to health and safety standards. You can apply to these federal, state, or local grants and loans, charities, community agencies, and nonprofit organizations and get the help you need.

A big part of the eligibility to these programs is the household income. Assistance will usually be provided to families or individuals who are living in occupied single-family homes, or mobile homes and whose combined total household annual income does not exceed certain income thresholds. Every program has different criteria and provides different amounts of funding. By law, these rules must not discriminate against you because of your age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

These grant programs are primarily directed at very low and low-income homeowners who might not be approved by a bank for funding. Eligibility requirements vary by the grant. For the most part, grants will have requirements depending on the homeowner’s income, their location, and the projects the money can be used on. To search or apply for grants, use the free, official website, Grants.gov. Determining your eligibility for federal grants is an important first step in the federal grant application process.