If you’re behind on rent or just struggling to make ends meet, there are many ways to find South Carolina rent relief. We’ve done the research on all of South Carolina’s rental assistance programs, and organized it here in one easy-to-use guide. Keep reading to find the help you need to pay rent.
Statewide South Carolina Rent Relief
There are several options for finding rent relief across the entire state of South Carolina. Check out this list of statewide South Carolina rent relief programs. But don’t forget to keep reading for even more local rental assistance.
Community Action Agencies
There are many Community Action agencies across the state of South Carolina that offer rental assistance. They may offer assistance through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) during the pandemic as well as having additional rent payment programs.
Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA)
Residents of South Carolina with HIV/AIDS may be able to receive rent payment assistance and help paying for utilities through HOPWA.
The Salvation Army
You may be able to receive help with paying rent through your local Salvation Army chapter. Available services vary by chapter, and you may need to live within a certain city, county, or zip code to receive rent payment assistance. Reach out to your local Salvation Army chapter for more information.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
Veterans across the state of South Carolina may be able to get help with rent payments through SSVF. This program aims to prevent homelessness and housing insecurity for low-income veterans and their families, including help with housing payments. Find an SSVF partner agency near you for more information.
Nationwide Rental Assistance Programs
You can also find rental assistance programs that serve across the United States. For even more help, check this list of nationwide rent relief programs!
Local South Carolina Rent Relief Programs
There are many rental assistance programs across the state of South Carolina that serve specific cities, counties, or zip codes. Check out this list of local South Carolina rent relief programs to find help near you. They’re organized alphabetically by county for your convenience.
Abbeville County
United Christian Ministries of Abbeville
Residents of Abbeville may be able to get help paying for rent and utilities through United Christian Ministries of Abbeville. You must have experienced an emergency situation in the last 30 days and not have been assisted within the past 12 months.
Aiken County
Cancer Support Services
Cancer Support Services offers financial assistance, including help with rent and utility payments, to residents of Aiken and Edgefield Counties currently receiving cancer treatment.
Anderson County
Clemson Community Care
Clemson Community Care serves residents of Pendleton, Central, and Clemson. This organization offers a variety of services including assisting with rent and utility payments.
United Christian Ministries
Residents of the Powdersville area in northern Anderson County may be able to receive rent payment assistance from United Christian Ministries. They also offer utility payment assistance.
Beaufort County
Bluffton Self Help
This organization serves residents of Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, and Hardeeville. You may be able to receive emergency financial assistance from Bluffton Self Help, including rent and utility assistance, during a crisis.
Deep Well Project
Deep Well Project offers financial assistance in the form of rent and utility payments on an emergency basis to residents of Hilton Head Island. Payments are made directly to the utility provider or landlord.
Berkeley County
East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO)
Residents of Charleston, Cordesville, Huger, and Jamestown may be able to receive rent payment assistance from ECCO. Visit their website for more eligibility requirements.
Charleston County
East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO)
Residents of Awendaw, Isle Of Palms, McClellanville, Mount Pleasant, and Sullivans Island may be able to receive rent payment assistance from ECCO. Visit their website for more eligibility requirements.
James Island Outreach
Residents of Folly Beach and James Island may be able to get help with paying rent and utilities through James Island Outreach. Visit their website to fill out an application and see eligibility requirements.
Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach
Residents of Charleston, Johns Island, and Wadmalaw Island may be able to receive rent payment assistance from Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach.
Cherokee County
Iron City Ministries
Iron City Ministries offers financial support to residents of Cherokee County when funds are available. Services include helping with rent and utility payments as well as food, clothing, household needs, and medications.
Chester County
Fort Lawn Community Center
Residents of Edgemoor, Fort Lawn, and Richburg may be able to receive rent payment assistance from Fort Lawn Community Center.
HOPE in Lancaster
HOPE in Lancaster serves residents of Lancaster County as well as Fort Lawn in Chester County. You may be able to receive help paying rent or utilities during a short-term emergency situation. They also offer financial assistance to those experiencing a set-back due to COVID-19.
Chesterfield County
KARE
Eligible residents of the city of Jefferson may be able to receive financial assistance, including help with rent payments, through KARE. This program is for clients facing a short-term documented crisis.
Clover County
Clover Area Assistance Center
Residents of Clover and York Counties may make an appointment with Clover Area Assistance Center to see if they’re eligible for rent or utility assistance. Financial assistance is dependent upon availability of funds.
Edgefield County
Cancer Support Services
Cancer Support Services offers financial assistance, including help with rent and utility payments, to residents of Aiken and Edgefield Counties currently receiving cancer treatment.
Fairfield County
Christian Assistance Bridge
Residents of Ridgeway, Elgin, Blythewood, and Columbia may be able to receive help paying rent from Christian Assistance Bridge. You must have a notice of eviction in order to be eligible.
Florence County
Lighthouse Ministries
Lighthouse Ministries offers rent payment assistance to residents of Florence County during a financial crisis. You can apply for assistance on their website.
Shelter and Nutrition for All Children (SNAC)
If you have a child in Florence School District One and are facing homelessness, you may be able to receive emergency rent payment assistance from SNAC.
Georgetown County
St. Cyprian Outreach Center
Residents of Georgetown County may be able to receive rent payment assistance from St. Cyprian Outreach Center. Assistance is only for past due bills.
Greenville County
Foothills Family Resources
Foothills Family Resources serves residents of Cleveland, Marietta, Slater, and Travelers Rest during times of financial crisis. They do this by offering immediate resources to help pay for rent, utilities, and other bills. The program also offers long-term assistance in the form of coaching and financial education.
Greer Relief
Residents of Greer and Taylors may be able to receive rent payment assistance through Greer Relief. Visit their website for eligibility requirements and to fill out an application.
Northern Greenville Crisis Ministry
Residents within the service area of Northern Greenville Crisis Ministry may be able to get help paying for rent and utilities. Funds for this service are limited and you must meet certain eligibility requirements.
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
Greenville residents may be able to get help paying rent and utility bills through the food pantry at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.
United Ministries
United Ministries offers emergency financial assistance to residents of Greenville County, which may include rent payment assistance.
Greenwood County
Greater Greenwood United Ministry
The Crisis Ministry at Greater Greenwood United Ministry offers rent and utility payment assistance to residents of Greenwood County in crisis situations. If you’re facing an eviction or utility disconnection, you may be eligible for this program.
Horry County
Churches Assisting People
Residents of Horry County may be able to receive help with paying for rent and utilities from Churches Assisting People. This service is dependent upon available funds.
Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach
Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach serves individuals and families in the Myrtle Beach area by assisting with immediate short-term needs, including rent and utility payment assistance. These services are limited and dependent upon available funds.
Jasper County
Bluffton Self Help
This organization serves residents of Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, and Hardeeville. You may be able to receive emergency financial assistance from Bluffton Self Help, including rent and utility assistance, during a crisis.
Kershaw County
Christian Assistance Bridge
Residents of Ridgeway, Elgin, Blythewood, and Columbia may be able to receive help paying rent from Christian Assistance Bridge. You must have a notice of eviction in order to be eligible.
KARE
Eligible residents of Bethune, Cassatt, Liberty Hill, and Westville may be able to receive financial assistance, including help with rent payments, through KARE. This program is for clients facing a short-term documented crisis.
Lancaster County
HOPE in Lancaster
HOPE in Lancaster serves residents of Lancaster County as well as Fort Lawn in Chester County. You may be able to receive help paying rent or utilities during a short-term emergency situation. They also offer financial assistance to those experiencing a set-back due to COVID-19.
KARE
Eligible residents of Heath Springs and Kershaw may be able to receive financial assistance, including help with rent payments, through KARE. This program is for clients facing a short-term documented crisis.
Lexington County
God’s Helping Hands
This organization serves Cayce and West Columbia, offering assistance such as rent payment relief during times of crisis.You must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for crisis assistance from God’s Helping Hands.
LexCo CARES
The LexCo CARES program is for residents of Lexington County who are facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You must meet certain income and eligibility requirements.
Mission Lexington
Mission Lexington offers financial assistance, including rent and utility payment assistance, to residents of Lexington County. You must currently be facing a crisis that has made it difficult to pay your bills and have a stable and consistent income.
Newberry County
Ruth S. Pugh Foundation
Residents of Newberry County with intellectual disabilities may be able to receive rent and utility payment assistance through the Ruth S. Pugh Foundation. For more information, visit the Newberry County Disabilities and Special Needs Board website.
Oconee County
Oconee United Ministries
Residents of Oconee County may be able to receive financial assistance in the form of rent payments from Oconee United Ministries.
Pickens County
Clemson Community Care
Clemson Community Care serves residents of Pendleton, Central, and Clemson. This organization offers a variety of services including assisting with rent and utility payments.
United Christian Ministries
Residents of Easley, Liberty, Norris, Pickens, Six Mile, and Sunset may be able to receive rent payment assistance from United Christian Ministries. They also offer utility payment assistance.
Richland County
Christian Assistance Bridge
Residents of Ridgeway, Elgin, Blythewood, and Columbia may be able to receive help paying rent from Christian Assistance Bridge. You must have a notice of eviction in order to be eligible.
The Cooperative Ministry
Residents of Richland County may be able to get help with rent payments from The Cooperative Ministry. In order to be eligible, you must not have received assistance with rent from another organization within the last 12 months.
Spartanburg
Greer Relief
Residents of Duncan, Lyman, and Wellford may be able to receive rent payment assistance through Greer Relief. Visit their website for eligibility requirements and to fill out an application.
Helping Hands Ministries of Woodruff
This organization assists residents of Woodruff School District 4. If you are in a crisis situation, Helping Hands Ministries of Woodruff may be able to assist with rent payments.
York County
Clover Area Assistance Center
Residents of Clover and York Counties may make an appointment with Clover Area Assistance Center to see if they’re eligible for rent or utility assistance. Financial assistance is dependent upon availability of funds.
Positive Affirmation Through Helping (P.A.T.H.)
P.A.T.H. serves residents of York School District #1, offering services such as rent and utility payment assistance to those who are eligible.
Lydia Mockensturm
Lydia Mockensturm has a BA in English and previously taught English as a second language. As a freelance writer and editor, she’s passionate about using her research and writing experience to help others find the resources they need.