SC HOUSING HOMEBUYER PROGRAM | FIRST-TIME OR MOVE-UP BORROWERS (DOWN 
PAYMENT ASSISTNACE AND LOW INTEREST RATES)

At SC Housing, we have assisted thousands of South Carolinians in purchasing a home. We offer a variety of mortgage financing options through one of our Lending Partners to make owning a home affordable. SC Housing’s Homebuyer Program can put you in a loan you can live with – one that’s affordable and consistent over the long term.

Visit the SC Housing Homebuyer Program Page.

HCV HOMEOWNERSHIP | PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN AN APPROVED 
PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER

SC Housing’s Housing Choice Voucher homeownership program helps participants who are currently in an approved Public Housing Agency (PHA) Housing Choice Voucher assistance program move from rental to homeownership. Under this program, many families have the opportunity to use federal housing assistance that would otherwise be paid to a landlord as rent to purchase and build equity in a home of their own. Paired with SC Housing’s Homebuyer Program, homebuyers can obtain 30-year, fixed rate FHA financing and forgivable down payment assistance to purchase a home in all 46 counties in South Carolina – and use their housing assistance payment to help qualify.

Visit the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program page.

COUNTY FIRST | FIRST-TIME OR MOVE-UP BORROWERS (DOWN 
PAYMENT ASSISTNACE AND LOW INTEREST RATES)

County First is an initiative designed to provide potential homebuyers in underserved communities with resources when local economic conditions make homeownership difficult. Funding is available for both first-time or move-up borrowers. The program includes forgivable down payment assistance and special fixed rate financing. Borrowers can choose an FHA, Conventional, USDA or VA mortgage.

Visit the County First Initiative Program page.

FAMILIES WITH DISABILITIES HOMEBUYER PROGRAM | HOMEBUYERS WITH 100 
PERCENT DISABILITY OR A FAMILY MEMBER THAT’S PERMANANTLY DISABLED 
(DOWNPAYMENT ASSISTANCE AND LOW INTEREST RATES)

If you are disabled, the prospect of buying a home may seem impossible. The SC Housing Families with Disabilities Initiative allows borrowers with a permanent disability, or who have a family member with a permanent disability to apply. Homebuyers may live in any South Carolina county and total household income restrictions do not apply and must adhere to all SC Housing homebuyer requirements.

Visit the Families with Disabilities Homebuyer Program page.

The Palmetto Home Advantage Program is SC Housing’s mortgage program designed to serve both first-time and “move-up” borrowers. The program offers both government and conventional mortgage options with forgivable down payment assistance options, no first-time homebuyer requirements and reduced mortgage insurance coverage (18%) on conventional loans below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) as determined by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. New and existing homes are eligible

Visit the Palmetto Home Advantage Program Page.

SC Housing is turning homeownership dreams into reality for South Carolina’s public service heroes through the 2026 Palmetto Heroes Program, which provides $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance alongside low, fixed-rate mortgage loans. The program supports those who play a vital role in their communities, including teachers, nurses, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, veterans, active-duty military, and National Guard members.

For buyers interested in purchasing a home through SC Housing’s Made It Home! Program, the first step is to contact one of the participating builders directly. Eligible homebuyers may receive up to $25,000 in forgivable down payment and closing cost assistance through one of SC Housing's approved lending partners. This assistance is structured as a zero-interest second mortgage that is fully forgiven after ten years, provided the buyer remains in the home. The Made It Home! down payment assistance cannot be combined with other SC Housing down payment programs.

Visit the Made It Home! Program Page.

The First-Generation Homebuyer Program is aimed at helping first-generation homebuyers — individuals and families who have never owned a home and whose parents or grandparents may never have experienced homeownership either. The program is designed to provide affordable financing, down payment assistance, and homebuyer education to help first-generation buyers overcome long-standing barriers to homeownership.