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The Front Porch Newsletter - June / July 2024
Wednesday, Dec 4, 2024
June - July 2024
The vital role of quality housing in the stifling Southern Summer heat
As the summer heat intensifies, the importance of stable and comfortable housing becomes even more evident. Housing is not just a place where we create cherished memories with our loved ones; it also serves as a critical refuge from the sweltering temperatures that can be relentless during these hot months.
Having a cool, safe space to retreat to is essential for our health and well-being, offering a sanctuary from the sun and a place to relax and recharge.
At SC Housing, we understand the vital role that housing plays in the lives of South Carolinians, particularly during the scorching summer season.
Whether it's through our homebuyer programs that help families achieve their dream of owning a home, our rental assistance programs that provide crucial support to those in need, or our efforts in developing new housing communities that offer modern, affordable living options, we are committed to making a tangible difference.
Our goal is to create and sustain safe, comfortable, and affordable housing for all South Carolinians, ensuring that everyone has a place to call home during the summer and throughout the year.
SC Housing announces new chief of staff
SC Housing is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Macdonald as the agency’s new chief of staff.
In this role, Macdonald will provide leadership, supervision, and financial guidance for SC Housing's finance, programs, and information technology departments.
Macdonald brings an extensive background in finance and state government to SC Housing.
His wealth of experience ensures the agency remains a dynamic and innovative leader in affordable housing development across South Carolina. Prior to joining SC Housing, Macdonald served as the Director of the Debt Management Division at the South Carolina Treasurer’s Office, where he oversaw the management and issuance of bonded debt for the state and its agencies.
Macdonald is highly regarded within the finance industry, known for his strategic goal development, implementation, and day-to-day management expertise. With over 25 years of experience in both public accounting and the private sector, he is well-equipped to lead SC Housing’s efforts in providing affordable housing solutions to South Carolinians.
A native of South Carolina, Macdonald holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of South Carolina. He is also a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Government Finance Officer.
SC Housing hosts developer roundtable discussion for Qualified Allocation Plan
SC Housing’s annual Developer Roundtable, held on Thursday, June 20, 2024, brought together numerous participants both in person and virtually to discuss the agency’s Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) process.
The QAP essentially provides developers with a set of rules and requirements that determine how federal and state tax credits are allocated.
Before its implementation, the QAP will undergo a thorough public review, with amendments, edits and alterations that are provided by the public and administered by SC Housing staff. Finally, it must be approved by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster.
The event took place at The Hall at Senate's End in Columbia and was also streamed online via ZoomGov.
The main objective of this roundtable was to foster a productive discussion on the 2025 QAP, which outlines the approval process for South Carolina’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit program.
The annual event provides developers with an opportunity to not only interact with SC Housing staff and commissioners, but to have a direct impact on the content of the QAP through the voicing of their concerns, ideas and constructive feedback.
SC Housing closes Palmetto Heroes homebuyer program for 2024, breaks records
SC Housing is fulfilling a vital role when it comes to homeownership in South Carolina. As homeownership has become more difficult over recent years, the agency’s homebuyer programs have grown remarkably in popularity and importance.
SC Housing’s homebuyer programs have broken records over the past five consecutive fiscal years.
The necessity of SC Housing’s homebuyer programs is best highlighted by the ever-popular Palmetto Heroes Program, which launched on April 15, the Palmetto Heroes Program provided $12,000 in forgivable down payment assistance along with competitive fixed interest rate loans.
The Palmetto Heroes Program was available to the state’s public service heroes, including teachers, nurses, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, veterans, active-duty military, and National Guard members.
By May 15, over $35 million in loan reservations had been filed, quickly exhausting the bulk of the program’s funding, compelling the SC Housing’s board of commissioners to appropriate an additional $10 million in funding to Palmetto Heroes.
By June 21, the program was closed and had expended more than $50 million in loan reservations representing more than 300 loans.
The program’s success highlights the ongoing challenges many middle-income households face in securing affordable housing. According to the 2023 Palmetto State Housing Study, issued by SC Housing and the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business, rising home prices have significantly burdened many middle-income families, making initiatives like the Palmetto Heroes Program vital.
SC Housing honors service award recipients
Working in state government holds immense importance as it allows individuals to make a meaningful impact on the lives of citizens and contribute to the well-being of their communities.
SC Housing is incredibly proud of its public servants, especially those that have dedicated a large portion of their careers to making affordable housing available throughout South Carolina.
The award recipients are listed below:
Richard Hutto
• 35 years of accumulated service with SC Housing
• 40 years of accumulated state service
Sherri Kelly
• 30 years of accumulated state service
Renaye Long
• 30 years of accumulated state service
Claude Spurlock
• 20 years of accumulated service with SC Housing
Jeff Player
• 10 years of accumulated service with SC Housing
• 10 years of accumulated state service
Brandi Fisher
• 10 years of accumulated state service
Mary Ann Matheny
• 10 years of accumulated state service
Christina Anderson
• 10 years of accumulated service with SC Housing
Chris McMillan
• 10 years of accumulated service with SC Housing
Steve Clements
• 10 years of accumulated service with SC Housing
• 10 years of accumulated state service
SC Housing, other state HFAs warn of fraudulent claims regarding Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher Program waitlist
In June, SC Housing and other state housing finance authorities warned of a scam involving false claims regarding the Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher Program waitlist.
Circulating on social media and flyers, these fraudulent messages claimed state housing finance authorities had opened or would soon open the Section 8 waitlist for properties across their respective states.
The messages requested personal information through a misleading link or directed individuals to visit SC Housing’s headquarters in person.
SC Housing and other state housing finance authorities clarified that the Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher Program waitlist has not been opened and any such claims are false. Providing personal information through these fraudulent links could result in the misuse of your personal identifiable information. It's crucial to verify the authenticity of profiles or websites before engaging, as scammers can create convincing yet fake pages.
Both SC Housing and the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs urge residents to think before clicking on suspicious links and to remain vigilant against potential scams. For any concerns or verification, always contact SC Housing through official channels.
For more information regarding the scam and how SC Housing has responded, visit https://schousing.com/library/Documents/SC-Housing-warns-of-fraudulent-claims-regarding-Section-8-Housing-Choice-Voucher-Program-waitlist.pdf.