CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) – Help is on the way for people struggling to pay rent or to pay rent overdue – if only they could ask for it.
SC Housing launched its SC Stay program Thursday night and was packed with applicants.
“Our hotline is open from nine to five, Monday through Friday to help people get their apps, and if all operators are busy, you will be asked to leave a voicemail. Well, that voicemail system was overloaded yesterday, ”said Chris Winston of SC Housing. “Some people thought the number was wrong, so we are going to fix it today.”
The number was not wrong; the program was flooded with calls, making access difficult and the mailbox quickly filled up. Winston says more than 8,600 people signed up for the program on the day it was launched.
The program allows qualified people to apply for six months rent or up to $ 7,500. If approved, SC Housing will send the money directly to the applicant’s landlord or funder.
“Nobody has to worry about eviction now, which undermines their ability to find their next place to live,” said Winston. “During a pandemic it is not the time that you want people to live with friends and family while trying to stay socially apart.”
The SC housing has $ 25 million dollars that it is prepared to distribute, which equates to about 3,300 people who can be helped. Winston says he expects not all candidates to need a maximum of $ 7,500. He says they need to make that money go as far as possible.
“Experts projected that there could be up to 100,000 South Carolina residents at risk of eviction when the CDC moratorium expires. Now it’s at the end of March, ”said Winston.
SC Stay is a branch of a similar program last fall, organized by SC Thrive. They had less money, but were able to help keep the people of South Carolina in their homes. Since the end of this program, SC Housing has taken names, phone numbers and emails in preparation for Thursday’s launch.
This call list is one of the reasons why so many people occupied the phone lines yesterday trying to download it. Winston says that applications will be completed on a first-come, first-served basis.
“While $ 25 million may seem like a lot, we hope it will go quickly,” said Winston. “Although these funds may be depleted, if people apply, it will give us an advantage if additional funding is available.”
To view all qualifications and apply, you can call 833-985-2929 or visit the SC Housing website.
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