While state and federal moratoriums have slowed eviction processing for most renters, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) temporary suspension for rental payments will expire at the end of December, leaving renters responsible for any unpaid housing costs, or risk facing eviction.

A recent report by the National Council of State Housing Agencies estimates renters around the country will owe up to $34 billion in back rent by January. “This analysis is more proof that a huge wave of evictions and additional financial pain will crash on the American economy soon unless Congress authorizes emergency aid to renters,” said NCSHA Executive Director Stockton Williams.

The report estimates 120,000 eviction filings in South Carolina by January 2021 due to an overall rent shortage ranging from $329 million to $429 million.

Here’s what renters should know about the eviction moratorium:

• The federal CDC moratorium ends on December 31, 2020.
• This moratorium did not prohibit landlords from charging fees and interest on past due rent.
• This order did not forgive past due rent.

Learn more about resources available to help South Carolina renters who may be struggling to pay their bills.

SC Housing is currently seeking nonprofit and governmental partners to help provide mortgage and rental assistance across the state to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A Request for Qualifications is open until Jan. 19. Learn more on the SC Stay website or email SCStay@SCHousing.com if you represent an agency that would like to participate. The proposed program, which is scheduled to launch in early 2021, will be funded by Community Development Block Grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. SC Housing will administer the program in South Carolina at the request of the S.C. Department of Commerce.

In partnership with our developers, SC Housing offers a variety of affordable housing options in rent-controlled communities for qualifying individuals and families. Tour these welcoming and affordable communities.

The Village at Dupont Landing

519 Spellman College Pass, Aiken, SC 29801
Phone: 803.226.0055

Serving Older Persons (ages 55 and older)
Total Units: 46
Status: Accepting applications for the waiting list

O’Neil Pointe Apartments

612 O'Neil Court, Columbia, SC 29223
Phone: 803.851.0621

Serving Income-Eligible Families
Total Units: 42
Status: Accepting applications for the waiting list

Crescent Villas II

320 Troxel Blvd. Florence, SC 29501
Phone: 843.407.6377

Serving Older Persons (ages 55 and older)
Total Units: 49
Status: Accepting applications

SC HOUSING RELEASES ITS FY2020 HOUSING TRUST FUND REPORT

SC Housing announces the release of its FY2020 SC Housing Trust Fund Annual Report. Read how SC Housing responded to present day challenges to address increasing housing needs amid a global pandemic on our journey to develop and preserve safe, decent, sanitary and affordable housing in South Carolina.

In his inaugural address on January 19, 1971, then-Governor John C. West pledged that "We can and we shall in the next four years initiate new and innovative programs which will, in our time, provide adequate housing for all citizens of our State." Five months later, on June 22, the bill creating the South Carolina State Housing Authority was signed into law. Today, SC Housing reflects on its charge to transform affordable housing in the Palmetto State, and begins its countdown to celebrate its 50^th anniversary.

“While we remain steadfast on ensuring South Carolina’s residents today – and in the future – have access to safe, decent and affordable housing, we want to take a moment to celebrate our agency’s 50-year history of service,” said Bonita Shropshire, executive director of SC Housing. “While this agency is committed to working through the many challenges surrounding affordable housing, we would regret if we did not take time in 2021 to recognize the employees, countless partners and customers who have worked together with us over the past half-century.”

About SC Housing

SC Housing is a self-sustaining agency committed to ensuring that South Carolinians have the opportunity to live in safe, decent, and affordable housing. SC Housing operations are supported by a funding base that includes fees and other revenue earned through the administration of agency programs.

Simply heating your home uses more energy and costs more money than any other system in the home – typically making up about 42 percent of your utility bill. But colder weather ahead doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. Here are a few home energy-related improvements to cut down on costs this winter.

1. Check your furnace. If you have a furnace, replace your filter if you haven’t already, and commit to changing it once a month. A dirty filter will increase your heating costs and reduce the life of your equipment.
2. Lighting. Switching to energy-efficient lighting is one of the fastest ways to cut your energy bills. By replacing your home's five most frequently used light fixtures or bulbs with models that have earned the ENERGY STAR, you can save $45 each year.
3. Electronics. Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched off. To avoid "vampire" loads, unplug electronics or use a power strip and use the switch on the power strip to cut all power to the appliances. Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use.
4. Laundry. There are two ways to reduce the amount of energy used for washing clothes—use less water and use cooler water. Wash and dry full loads.

Taking these steps will not only lower your utility costs, but they will protect your largest investment, your home. Discover more energy-saving opportunities with the Energy Saver Tool provided by South Carolina’s Energy Office of the SC Office of Regulatory Staff.

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