In 2007 the South Carolina Council on Homelessness estimated that South Carolina had nearly 7,000 homeless residents. Realty Trac estimates that over 400 Richland County homeowners faced foreclosure proceeding in January 2011. Columbia residents confronting housing problems can turn to federal programs, state and local agencies and nonprofit organizations for assistance. Housing programs in Columbia offer a range of assistance, including subsidized housing, emergency shelter and foreclosure avoidance counseling.
HUD Programs
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides housing programs to assist Columbia residents, including foreclosure avoidance counseling and subsidized housing. The Housing Choice Vouchers program, typically referred to as the Section 8 program, helps low-income, disabled and elderly residents obtain a home by providing a rent subsidy. Section 8 participants can choose a house, apartment or townhouse from the private rental market. The program requires participants to pay a portion of the monthly rent and HUD pays the remainder directly to the property owner. HUD administers the Section 8 program through the Columbia Housing Authority, which determines eligibility and administers Housing Choice Vouchers.
Columbia Housing Authority
The Columbia Housing Authority (CHA) administers HUD's Section 8 program in Columbia and offers the CHA Homeowners Program for families seeking to purchase a home. The homeowners program offers counseling, training and financial help for families currently living in Section 8 housing. Participants can convert their Housing Choice voucher into a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), which they can apply toward payments for a house, townhouse or condominium. Low-income participants who continue to qualify for the program can use HAP funding for a maximum of 15 years, and disabled and senior participants for a maximum of 30 years.
South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority
The South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority, also known as SC State Housing, offers housing programs for low-income and moderate-income residents throughout South Carolina. The First-Time Home Buyers Mortgage Loan Program offers fixed-rate mortgages for first-time home buyers, which they can obtain through participating lenders. The organization also provides financial assistance to help qualified home buyers pay down payments and closing costs. SC State Housing also administers the South Carolina Homeownership and Employment Lending Program (SC HELP). The SC HELP program provides financial assistance to help unemployed South Carolinians pay their mortgages while they look for a job. The SC HELP Direct Loan Assistance program helps homeowners catch up on past due loan payments, and the Property Disposition Assistance program helps homeowners faced with foreclosure transition into rental housing.
Nonprofit Organizations
Select nonprofit organizations in Columbus offer housing assistance for homeless residents. St. Lawrence Place operates 28 transitional housing units, which homeless families can use for up to 2 years. St. Lawrence Place also provides counseling services to help residents repair their credit and learn budget their income. The Women's Shelter provides primary housing and transitional housing for homeless women. The shelter also offers group therapy programs, parenting classes, health education courses and dental services.
Tags: South Carolina, State Housing, Columbia Housing, Columbia Housing Authority, Housing Authority
