South Carolina Section 8

In South Carolina, SC Housing provides up to 2,500 vouchers in seven counties, depending on annual federal funding. The counties are Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee and Lexington. Local public housing agencies (PHAs) run the Housing Choice Voucher Program, formerly known as Section 8, in other areas and keep their own waiting lists. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets the income limits and Fair Market Rents that they use.

Who is eligible for Section 8 in South Carolina?

To be eligible for a Housing Choice Voucher, your household must meet three requirements:¹

• Your income must generally be at or below the very low-income limit for your county and household size.
• You must be a “family,” which includes a single person, and at least one member must be a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status.
• You must meet the housing agency’s screening requirements.

What is the income limit for Section 8 in South Carolina?

For a Housing Choice Voucher, a family generally has to be at or below the very low-income limit, which is 50% of the area’s median family income.¹ In South Carolina, that limit for a family of four is between $37,300 and $58,750 a year, depending on the county. For a family of three it is between $33,600 and $52,900.²

At least 75% of new vouchers go to families under the extremely low-income limit, which is 30% of the area median. The calculator above shows all three limits for your county and household size. Your housing agency makes the final decision, and meeting the limit does not guarantee a voucher.

What is the Fair Market Rent in South Carolina?

Fair Market Rent (FMR) is HUD’s estimate of what a modest rental costs in an area, including utilities. In South Carolina, the FY2027 FMR for a two-bedroom unit ranges from $885 a month in 13 counties (including Abbeville County) to $2,010 in Beaufort County.³ Your housing agency sets a payment standard, usually between 90% and 110% of the FMR, that limits how much of your rent a voucher can cover.⁴

Is Section 8 open in South Carolina?

The SC Housing waiting list is closed to all categories of applicants until further notice. SC Housing states that it currently takes three to five years to offer assistance to a family on the list. The Charleston County Housing and Redevelopment Authority Section 8 waiting list is closed. Columbia Housing states that it will open a voucher waiting list only for public housing tenants who live in properties converting under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. Other agencies open their lists only for certain periods, so ask each local agency about the status of its list.

How much does Section 8 pay in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, the rental subsidy is typically calculated as the difference between 30% of the household’s adjusted gross income and the current applicable payment standard.

How do I apply for Section 8 in South Carolina?

There is no cost to apply. When the SC Housing list is open, applicants may apply through the online voucher portal or request a paper application by mail, and SC Housing does not accept applications in person. Call (803) 896-8888 for waiting list status and general voucher information. Columbia Housing applicants may call 803-254-3886, and Charleston County applicants may call 843-722-1942. For other areas, apply through the public housing agency that serves the county or city.

1. Find your local PHA. Each county or metropolitan area has its own public housing agency (PHA) with a separate waiting list. You may apply to more than one agency.
2. Join the waiting list. Submit a pre-application when the list is open. Agencies commonly ask for proof of identity, income and household composition.
3. Wait for your turn. The wait varies by agency. An agency may remove an applicant who does not respond to its notices, so keep your contact information current.
4. Receive and use your voucher. The agency inspects the unit before the lease begins. You pay a share of your income toward rent, and the voucher covers the rest up to the agency’s payment standard.⁴

If you need help locating a PHA, call HUD’s PIH Customer Service Center at (800) 955-2232 or look up through the official HUD’s directory of public housing agencies (PHAs).