The Front Porch Newsletter - October / November 2024

Thursday, Jan 30, 2025

October - November 2024

Building homes, raising hope in SC

As we celebrate Thanksgiving with loved ones, let’s also remember those in our community without food, shelter, or a safe, affordable place to call home. This season reminds us to be grateful for what we often take for granted—like having a home—and inspires us to take action.

Housing is more than shelter; it’s hope, stability, and a foundation for thriving communities. Affordable housing enables families to focus on essentials like education, healthcare, and building a better future. It’s a cornerstone of opportunity, reducing inequalities and enhancing lives.

In South Carolina, affordable housing supports countless dreams, from first-time homeowners to families finally able to share a meal in their own space. It strengthens neighborhoods, improves well-being, and helps the most vulnerable, including thousands of children without stable homes

Having decent housing benefits everyone. It creates a sense of belonging and contributes to stronger, more vibrant neighborhoods. It also improves the overall wellbeing of families, and helps the most vulnerable among us, such as the 13,770 children reporting experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in FY23 in our state who move from house to house or are living in hotels, motels, cars and other temporary locations while trying to attend school and learn (2024 SCICH State of Homelessness Report).

This season, let’s commit to addressing housing needs so all South Carolinians can have a place to call home—not just for the holidays, but every day.

Learn more about SC Housing’s programs and how we’re making a difference at SC Housing. Together, we can create lasting impact.

Renters in SC can apply for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Helene

FEMA assistance is available to renters, including students, with uninsured losses from Hurricane Helene in Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union and York counties and the Catawba Indian Nation.

FEMA may be able to help renters as well as homeowners with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. The quickest way to apply is to go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.

You can also apply in person at a Disaster Recovery Center where you can meet with representatives of FEMA, the state of South Carolina and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed. To find center locations, go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362.

You can also apply using the FEMA App for mobile devices or by calling toll-free 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in many languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For a video with American Sign Language, voiceover and open captions about how to apply for FEMA assistance, select this link.

FEMA programs are accessible to survivors with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.

Supportive housing Mirci Transitional Home for Female Youth breaks ground

In October and November, South Carolina celebrated a handful of incredible milestones in affordable housing, underscoring our commitment to creating safe and accessible homes for all.

∘ Bridgeview Village, located on the Charleston peninsula, celebrated its reopening, unveiling 300 beautifully updated units spread across 26 residential buildings. This revitalized community offers families a fresh start and a place to thrive.

∘ The Kenyon at Cross Creek, in Central, officially opened its doors, introducing 168 brand-new units designed to provide residents with the comfort and stability they deserve.

∘ Southpointe Senior in Greenville was the site of a groundbreaking which heralds the creation of a 90-unit senior (55+) low-income housing tax credit development. The project will also feature 20 project-based vouchers awarded through the Greenville Housing Authority.

∘ Addison Point in Columbia hosted a groundbreaking as well, highlighting the creation of an 80-unit development which will provide families with incomes ranging between 20% to 70% of the area median income in Richland County with quality rental housing.

∘ Church Street Place in Greenville features thirty-six studio apartments with common kitchens and laundry areas on each floor, a community dining space downstairs, along with office space, mail receptacles, meeting space and areas for providing on site services for people experiencing chronic homelessness and living with serious mental or physical disabilities.

SC Housing hits the road, provides information for disaster survivors

Throughout the month of October, SC Housing staff teamed up with State and Federal officials plus representatives from nonprofits to host seven Team South Carolina County Days

The events provided South Carolina residents affected by Hurricane Helene with a one-stop opportunity to learn about relief resources available to them, in a centrally located area.

SC Housing made approximately 600 contacts, helping Helene victims connect with the necessary information and resources including information on available apartments and the SCHousingSearch.com website.