Rent Assistance in South Carolina

Last checked: November 2026. Benefits Explorer is a directory. We do not provide rent money or decide who gets help, and each program makes its own decisions.

SC Housing's renter pages list vouchers and a rental search, not emergency payments, and its voucher waiting list is closed with what the agency calls a three to five year wait and no emergency assistance. In practice, rent help in South Carolina comes through SC 211 and local nonprofits.

Columbia renters have a city-funded route: the city's HOME-ARP page lists TN Development Corporation for eviction prevention and rent or utility arrears inside city limits, so start there if you live in Columbia.

Eviction starts with a Rule to Vacate or Show Cause from magistrate court. State law gives you 10 days after service to respond, and SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center warns that if you do not ask for a hearing, the court assumes you have no defense. Asking for that hearing can be as simple as calling the number on the document.

When you call SC 211 or a local provider, ask about both rent money and legal help, since the Lowcountry's own guidance points people to 211 for both.

Where to Start in South Carolina

SC 211

Free, confidential 24/7 referrals to health and social services. Call 2-1-1 or this number, text your ZIP code to 211-211, or search resources.sc211.org for rent help near you.

Visit website · Phone: 866-892-9211 · Accepting applications when last checked

SC Housing Choice Voucher Program

SC Housing's voucher program serves Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee and Lexington counties. The waiting list is closed to all applicants until further notice, and SC Housing says it will announce any reopening on its website and applicant portal.

Visit website · Phone: 803-896-8888 · Closed when last checked

Local Rent Help in South Carolina

United Ministries (Greenville)

Rent and utility help based on need. People 59 or younger apply online on Mondays at 8:30 a.m., with slots limited to the first 15 eligible participants each week, and can get help once every 24 months per household. People 60 or older call (864) 336-2661 on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. for an appointment. Bring a Social Security card and picture ID.

Visit website · Phone: 864-232-6463 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Lowcountry Continuum of Care (Charleston area and the Lowcountry)

If you are at risk of homelessness or facing eviction, it tells you to call 211 for rental assistance and legal help, with eligibility based on income, lost income and other resources. If you are already homeless, call the Homeless Connection Line at the number here. Have your lease, any eviction or late notice, IDs and proof of income ready.

Visit website · Phone: 843-737-8357 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

One80 Place (Charleston)

Homeless services provider at 35 Walnut Street that sends people in the Lowcountry to the Homeless Connection Line for help. Its pages do not describe a rent payment program. Veterans can call its SSVF program at 843-212-8668.

Visit website · Phone: (843) 723-9477 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

TN Development Corporation (City of Columbia HOME-ARP) (Inside Columbia city limits)

The City of Columbia lists this provider for eligible households needing eviction prevention, rent and utility arrears, housing stabilization, housing counseling and referrals. The city's page does not give income rules or say whether funds remain. For general questions, the Community Development Department is at 803-545-3373.

Visit website · Phone: 803-545-3767 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

PALSS (Columbia)

Named on Columbia's HOME-ARP page, where service plans may include rental or utility aid, housing counseling, food pantry access and legal referrals. PALSS says its free services are for people diagnosed with or at risk of HIV/AIDS and their loved ones. MIRCI, also listed there, focuses on mental health treatment and housing stability.

Visit website · Phone: 803-779-7257 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Facing Eviction in South Carolina?

S.C. Code 27-40-710 lets a landlord end a rental agreement when rent is unpaid within five days of its due date, after written notice, though one notice or conspicuous lease language can satisfy that requirement. The landlord then applies to a magistrate. Under S.C. Code 27-37-20, a Rule to Vacate or Show Cause gives you 10 days after service to respond, and South Carolina Legal Services advises requesting a hearing within that time even if you plan to leave. If the magistrate rules against you, a writ of ejectment issues within five days and you get 24 hours to vacate after service. SC Appleseed says a landlord cannot lock you out, shut off utilities or put your belongings outside first. Read the official guidance

Free or low-cost legal help: South Carolina Legal Services. Free civil legal help for eligible low-income South Carolinians. Call the intake line and follow the automated prompts. Its Housing Law Center at schousinglaw.org has a guided interview on rental problems. Visit website · Phone: 1-888-346-5592

This page is general information, not legal advice. Don't ignore a notice or court papers, because eviction deadlines can be short.

More Help in South Carolina

Want other options? See our full rent assistance guide, including how to spot a scam, or see your options. That form is not an application for rent assistance. If you submit it, Benefits Explorer and its partners may contact you.

South Carolina Rent Assistance Questions

What should I do first after a Rule to Vacate in South Carolina?

Call the magistrate court number on the document and request a hearing within 10 days. If you do not, the court will assume you have no defense. Then call South Carolina Legal Services at 1-888-346-5592.

Does South Carolina have a statewide rent assistance program?

SC Housing's current renter pages list vouchers and a rental search, and we could not confirm any statewide emergency rent program on an official page. SC 211 is the way to find what your county has now.

Who helps with rent in Columbia or the Midlands?

Inside Columbia city limits, the city lists TN Development Corporation at 803-545-3767 for eviction prevention and arrears, though its page does not say funds are available today. Elsewhere in Richland or Lexington counties, we could not verify a current rent program, so call SC 211.

Rent Assistance in Nearby States

Most programs only help people who live in their state. If you are moving or live near a state line, you can also check:

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