SC Housing’s Palmetto Heroes Program closed for ’25 after record-breaking success

Columbia, SC – SC Housing’s highly anticipated 2025 Palmetto Heroes homebuyer program officially closed earlier this month after a record-breaking campaign.

The 2025 iteration, which opened March 24 and closed May 8, resulted in 331 home loans registered totaling more than $83 million in down payment assistance and low, fixed-rate mortgages – equating to the program’s most successful year across the board. 

The success of this year’s program underscores the growing demand for affordable homeownership among South Carolina’s frontline professionals. Palmetto Heroes offered $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance and low, fixed-rate mortgage loans to the state’s essential workers, including teachers, nurses, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, veterans, active-duty military, and National Guard members.

“From day one, the response was overwhelming,” said SC Housing Executive Director Richard Hutto. “Helping over 300 community heroes purchase homes not only meets an urgent housing need for the families that enjoy the benefits of homeownership – it strengthens communities and makes South Carolina a better place to live.”

Historically, the Palmetto Heroes Program has been one of SC Housing’s most in-demand programs, with 2024’s version exhausting the bulk of its funding allocation – $50 million – less than a month after the program’s launch.

Though Palmetto Heroes has closed, SC Housing offers a suite of other homebuyer programs, with or without down payment assistance and attractive, fixed-rate loans. 

For more information on SC Housing's homebuyer programs, visit https://schousing.sc.gov/Home/HomeBuyers or contact the agency at 803.896.2211 or email us at mortgage.production@schousing.com.

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.