The SC Stay Plus Program is open and accepting applications for housing assistance, related to COVID-19 financial instability.  It provides payments directly to landlords and utility companies on behalf of affected renters.

For more information, you may visit the SC Housing website here.
To begin an application, click here.

Assistance is available for households in which one or more individuals meet the following criteria:

• Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19;
• Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
• Has a household income at or below 80% of county median income adjusted by family size.

Based upon federal requirements, priority will be given to households with an income at or below 50% of the median income and those with an individual who has been unemployed for more than 90 days. Household income can be determined by using income for calendar year 2020 or the household’s monthly income at the time of application.

Funding for the program is made available through the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

To prepare for the launch of SC Stay Plus, applicants can start by gathering the following documentation. Please note: Not all documents are required, and lack of some documents should not discourage applicants from applying.

Got questions?  Click here for the frequently asked questions.

Applicants should prepare:

• Pictures or scans of a photo identification (driver’s license, passport [including foreign passports], etc.)
• A copy (or picture) of their signed lease, or proof of rent payments (bank account statement [edit out any confidential information!] or Venmo/Zell screenshot) if a signed lease is not available.
• A 2020 Federal Tax Return (1040/1040EZ or equivalent) or pay stub from the last 60 days. Please note that only the first two pages of a tax return are required.
• Proof of financial hardship, such as:
  • Proof of unemployment from the South Carolina Department of Employment of Workforce (DEW), including website screenshots or confirmation letters from DEW.
  • Proof of lost wages – such as a layoff notice, an unemployment letter, proof of business closure
• Proof of risk of housing loss or experiencing homelessness, such as:
  • An eviction notice (if you have it)
  • A past due notice for rent or utilities (if you have it)

*Note: Eligible renters can receive assistance with 12 months back rent (arrears) dating back to March 2020