SC Housing program offers solutions to lack of workforce housing

Columbia, SC – The South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority’s (SC Housing) Workforce Housing Initiative Pilot Program is offering a solution to one of the state’s most pressing housing issues: a lack of workforce housing for South Carolinians. 

The new program will combine down payment assistance and incentives to homebuilders to initially produce 30 homes by three builders – ten homes per participating builder – with minimum dimensions of 1,000 square feet, completed and sold at a maximum purchase price of $175,000. Builders will be incentivized with $10,000 in offset subsidies per home for various costs and fees.

Qualifying homebuyers may receive up to $25,000 in down payment assistance, structured as a zero interest second mortgage. This assistance would be fully forgiven at the end of a 5-year term. Eligible buyers may also be able to utilize SC Housing’s homebuyer programs, but can also choose other financing offered by any SC Housing participating lender. 

Qualified homebuyers must have no more than the maximum allowable annual income of $127,200 and must occupy the homes as their primary residence, as well as obtain a fixed 30-year mortgage through one of SC Housing’s participating lenders. 

The lack of workforce housing – considered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development as being affordable to individuals with an income of 80 – 120 percent of the area median income – has been spurred by escalating interest rates, continually rising home prices and more than a decade of underbuilding in the state which began in 2009. The median listing price of a home in the state is $350,000, according to a December 2024 Federal Reserve Bank dashboard report.

 “We have to find solutions to the current lack of workforce housing for those who are ready to become homeowners,” SC Housing Executive Director Richard Hutto said. “It’s a complex problem and will require the efforts of not only builders and lenders, but of legislators, local governments and city planners as well. SC Housing is bringing its financial resources to the table to show that this type of housing program is possible and needed throughout the state.”

Besides helping more people to become homeowners, SC Housing hopes the program will demonstrate benefits of building similar homes to increase the state’s affordable housing stock and stimulate economic benefits through increased construction activity.

SC Housing hopes that as the concept takes root, it can be duplicated and expanded on a larger scale throughout the state.

More information is available at https://www.schousing.com/Home/Workforce%20Housing%20Pilot%20Program.

Media Contact: Matthew McColl
Marketing and Public Information Director
matthew.mccoll@schousing.com
803-896-9520

SC Housing is a self-sustaining housing finance agency committed to ensuring that South Carolinians have the opportunity to live in safe, decent and affordable housing. Agency operations are supported by a funding base that includes fees and other revenue earned through the administration of agency programs. For more information, visit SCHousing.sc.gov.