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Loading...South Carolina has over 105 grants for home repair and home improvement grants available to homeowner families and individuals. This article provides you with all the main home repair programs offered throughout the state.
We understand the financial burden of home repairs. Our 2024 Homeowners Repair Survey found South Carolina have 1/4 of its homeowners have to postpone them, and more than half % delay repairs for financial concerns:
- 25% of SC homeowners have to postpone repairs.
- 59% of homeowners postpone repairs for financial reasons.
If you have problems finding funding to repair your home, you’re not alone. The programs below can help you find those funds for your home.
Who provide grants for home repairs in South Carolina?
There are 5 main sources of financial assistance for home improvement in South Carolina:
- 1- Federal Programs : HUD (Housing and Urban Development) is the Federal housing agency providing programs and funds to the State, Counties and cities.
- 2- State of South Carolina : South Carolina Department of Housing: (SCDH) is a state agency offering funds to Counties, cities and local organisations in South Carolina.
- 3- Counties and cities programs : The main organizations offering funds (over $57M) and programs to help South Carolinans with home repair, rehabilitation and improvement are at your county and city level.
- 4- Non-profits & community organisations: Almost every cities, towns and counties have non-profits helping homeowners with home repairs. More so for lower income and seniors homeowners.
- 5- Rural areas: Homeowners in rural areas have less resources but there are still often non-profits and the USDA is also helping rural homeowners with $400,000.
The important thing to keep it mind it that most programs can help with a broad range of home repairs. For example, there’s not only 1 roof program but many programs can help with roof repairs. That’s why we created the projects summary below.
Jump to a project:
| Window (8) | Heating & HVAC (9) |
| Roof (7) | Foundation (7) |
| Electrical (7) | Bathroom (6) |
| Plumbing (7) | Remodel (7) |
| Sewer & water (5) | Asbestos & lead (5) |
Jump to a group:
| Seniors (9) | City & suburb (9) |
| Disabled (9) | Rural (5) |
| Veterans (7) |
FAQ
Can I get a $10,000 grant for home improvement?
What free government grants for homeowners for repairs exist?
Who is eligible for government home improvement grant?
Confused about home improvement programs terms?
Who is eligible for government home improvement grant?
In general all homeowners are eligible for home improvement and repairs grants and assistance in South Carolina (find them all below). In reality, because the needs are so big, some groups like seniors, veterans, disabled and low-income households are given priority. Even in those case, you need to apply as soon as possible because funds are limited.
So it’s often first arrived first served basis: apply early.
Each program has their own eligibility, so you need to verify with programs in your area to see info you meet the income eligibility level.
Programs’ general eligibility by income and locations:
| Cities & Suburbs | Rural | |
|---|---|---|
| Low income | HUD, WAP, Cities & Counties programs, State, Disasters, Community Organisations, | USDA, WAP, Cities & Counties programs, State, Disasters, Community Organisations, |
|
Medium/High income |
Home Improvement Loans, State, Disasters, HUD | USDA, Home Improvement Loans, State, Disasters. |
Important reminder: Programs such as cities or counties assistance programs determine eligibility based on the median income in your area. This means that even if you have a moderate income, you might qualify for these programs if you live in a wealthier area. In other words, it’s better to verify your edibility with each programs first before thinking you won’t be able to receive funding for your project.
Can I get a $10,000 grant for home improvement?
Can you get a $10,000 grant for home improvement? Quick answer is yes. Find on this page all the information you need for home improvement programs by the State of South Carolina, by cities and by counties. Learn: how much they provide, if you’re eligible and where to apply.
What free government grants for homeowners for repairs exist?
In general in South Carolina repair grants for homeowners can help with:
- – Make sure your home does not harm the residents’ health.
- – Make sure your home structure is sound and may not hurt its resident.
- – Help renovate or repair some major part(s) of your home.
- – Help seniors and disabled residents stay in their homes longer and safer.
Windows replacement (8 programs)
Windows are expensive; broken windows, no longer opening, warped frame, drafty and leaking air are a few among many common signs homeowners’ windows need repair or replaced. See also the Windows Replacement Guide for common window problems and replacements.
We have a separate resource explaining the programs for windows replacement in South Carolina.
Window programs for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Cities & Counties programs, WAP, Community Organisations, Disasters
Window programs for lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Cities & Counties programs, WAP, Community Organisations, Disasters
Window programs for medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Window programs for medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Roof Replacement (7 programs)
Storm debris and damages, roof at the end of their lifespan, hail and wind are always signs of big expenses when it comes to a home roof. But not everyone have a sizable amount ready at any time to fix or replace its roof. See also our Guide to repair or change your roof.
Once it’s time to find a roofer, our community selection of South Carolina best roofers can help.
Roof help for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Roof help for lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Roof help for medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Roof help for medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Foundation repair assistance (7 programs)
Cracks, uneven settling/heaving, soil conditions and drainage system issues are the most common problems requiring foundation repair.
Foundation help for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Foundation help for lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Foundation help for medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Foundation help for medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Electrical & plumbing assistance (7 programs)
Electrical: Faulty wiring, circuit breaker problems, and electrical panel issues are major concerns.
Plumbing: Leaky pipes, water heater malfunctions, and clogged drains are common plumbing problems.
Electrical and plumbing help for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Electrical and plumbing help for lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Electrical and plumbing help for medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Electrical and plumbing help for medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Heating & cooling, HVAC assistance (9 programs)
Furnace, boiler and HVAC malfunctions, thermostat problems, and duct work leaks cause heating issues while AC compressor failures, refrigerant leaks, and airflow restrictions are major cooling problems.
Furnace and hvac programs for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Furnace and hvac programs for lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Furnace and hvac programs for medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Furnace and hvac programs for medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Asbestos, lead paints & pipes removal (5 programs)
Lead paint and asbestos in are still one of the main health hazard in older homes. Removing them is costly and most local governments have a program to help homeowners removing this hazard.
Asbestos and lead programs for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Asbestos and lead programs for lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Asbestos and lead programs for medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Asbestos and lead programs for medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Sewer & water line repair or replacement (5 programs)
Fortunately frequent but replacing water line or sewers pipes is very costly. The programs below can help fund this repair or replacement depending of your income and where you live.
Water and sewer programs for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Water and sewer programs lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Cities & Counties programs, Community Organisations, Disasters
Water and sewer programs medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Water and sewer programs medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Home remodeling incentives (7 programs)
In some cases a home can be remodeled if they need major repairs as long as the cost is not prohibitive. Since the total amount vary by program you have to verify on this page for programs in your area.
Lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, Cities & Counties programs, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Bathroom remodel assistance (6 programs)
The programs’ goal is to bring bathroom to sanitary and health standards. Improving the bathroom finishing can be done with your own funds or a loan.
Lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, Cities & Counties programs, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Medium and higher income in a rural area:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Home modifications for disabled (9 programs)
Having a disability create issues in a home. Most funding resources let you upgrade and make modifications to your home in order to be able to live in it much longer. Ramps, bathroom and kitchen modifications, installation of grab bars, doorways enlargement, are all covered by accessibility programs.
Accessibility modifications for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, Cities & Counties programs, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Accessibility modifications for lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Accessibility modifications for medium and higher income in a rural area:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Accessibility modifications for medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Home modifications for Seniors (9 programs)
Most programs help you upgrade and make modifications to your home in order to be able to live in it much longer as a senior. Ramps, bathroom and kitchen modifications, installation of grab bars, are all covered by home adaptation programs for seniors.
Local Area Agency on Aging can also often help with some repairs.
You can find resources below and the curated resource for senior home modifications.
Senior home modifications for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, Cities & Counties programs, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Senior home modifications for lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Senior home modifications for medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Senior home modifications for medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Cities and suburbs homeowners (9 programs)
Living in a city in SC is often more expensive and there are home improvement programs available to city and suburbs homeowners.
Home repair programs for lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, Cities & Counties programs, State, Community Organisations
Home improvement for medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Home Improvement Loans
Rural Homeowners (4 programs)
Homeowners in rural areas have to rely on less external resources but there are still resources available to them for home repair and improvements.
Rural homeowner with a lower income:
USDA, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Rural homeowner with a medium and higher income:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Disasters: FEMA in South Carolina (10s if resources)
When the Federal Agency FEMA declare some area(s) of South Carolina a disaster area, the area’s residents can then apply for financial aid.
You can find if your area is declared a disaster area by FEMA here then if it is, claim disaster assistance with the federal government. If you’re impacted by a disaster, you may be able to claim housing, financial, food, medical, etc.
SBA (4 programs)
Veterans Home Repair & Rehab (7 programs)
The VA provide grants and loans to help veterans to adapt their housing to their needs when they have a disability. And naturally, veterans are also eligible to all existing home improvement programs:
Veteran with a lower income living in a city or suburb:
HUD, Cities & Counties programs, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Veteran with a lower income living in a rural area:
USDA, State, Community Organisations, Disasters
Veteran with a medium and higher income in a rural area:
USDA, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
Veteran with a medium and higher income in a city or suburb:
HUD, State, Disasters, Home Improvement Loans
HUD (Urban Housing Department) (2 programs)
HUD is the federal agency funding the South Carolina’s Housing agencies, Counties and Cities. HUD have many programs from home buyer help, renter help, homeowners funding among many for home repairs and improvements.
2 loans programs helps people renovate, rehabilitate or improve their home (mobile homes included). Both are loan insurances for South Carolina’s homeowners who couldn’t otherwise get a loan:
Rehabilitation and repair loan (insurance): Known as “Title I Property Improvement Loan Program”, it helps you if you have not enough equity for a traditional loan, and the FHA (part of HUD) insure your loan for your lender.
- – House Loan amount limit: $25,000
- – Mobile home Loan amount limit: $25,090
203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance: This a special FHA loan that allows you to finance both the purchase or refinancing of a house and the cost of renovations into a single mortgage.
- – Limited 203k: Projects less than $35,000.
- – Standard 203k: Projects over $35,000.
In both Tittle 1 and 203(k), the money for the renovations is put in an escrow account and is only released to the contractor when the work is completed and inspected by a qualified professional. This helps ensure that the renovations are done properly and that the money is used for its intended purpose. It protects both the lender and you the homeowner.
SC Department of Housing (SCDH) (3 programs)
This Department have 3 home improvement and home repair program to help homeowners.
SC Safe Home Grants: Window and roof program helping coastal property owners retrofit their homes to make them more resistant to hurricanes and high-wind damage. Grant amount is up to $7,500.
Home Repair: Program provides up to $50,000 to help low- and very low-income homeowners make essential interior and exterior repairs to correct life, health threatening issues in your home.
Habitat for Humanity (20 programs)
Thanks to their volunteers, Habitat rehabilitates SC houses for families and people in need with 20 local chapters with their own home programs. They may be able to help with home repairs and updates to make your home safer. This organization relies on you, or some neighbors if you’re elderly, to put some of the work into your home repairs. You can apply through Habitat to learn about help available in your area.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores (26 resources)
ReStores provide discounted used, surplus building materials, appliances and furniture.
Community Action Partnership of SC (CAP) (14 resources)
These 14 non profits located throughout South Carolina offer many services to their residents area. They usually offer home repair assistance programs, WAP and LIHEAP for low and moderate income homeowners.
Find your area CAP by looking on this page. Then contact your closest agency to see the programs they have for homeowners like you.
Weatherization Assistant Program (WAP)
WAP is funded by the Federal but managed locally. It help improve or change windows for energy efficient ones at no cost. It also pay for attic insulation and ventilation, repair or replace broken heating, cooling and water heaters, as well as many other small work to improve your home energy efficiency.
| Spent per Home | Homes Weatherized | Budget | |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina |
$8,008 |
3,569 | $39M |
Find the program detail and contact your local organisation managing WAP.
LIHEAP: This program is mostly to help pay your heating and cooling cost but it may also help fix, repair or replace broken windows for energy efficient ones.
Find more info about the program eligibility and your local organisation managing LIHEAP.
Veterans Home Repair (1 program)
Home improvement & modification: Program provides medically necessary improvements and structural alterations to Veterans/Service members’ primary residence for $6,800.
Work purposes:
– Allowing entrance to or exit from the primary residence
– Use of essential lavatory and sanitary facilities (e.g. roll in showers)
– Allowing accessibility to kitchen or bathroom sinks or counters (e.g. lowering counters/sinks)
– Improving entrance paths or driveways in immediate area of the home to facilitate access to the home through construction of permanent ramping
– Improving plumbing or electrical systems made necessary due to installation of home medical equipment
Find more details and how to apply
Home Repair for Seniors in South Carolina (1 program)
South Carolina’s Department of Aging offer many services to seniors. You can find the list here.
Question: Are home repair for senior citizens free?
Answer: Yes, usually, but it’s often different for each program. Some programs are 100% free while some other require a contribution and in other case. In most case they are free if the senior have a low income. You find your programs and your eligibility with the programs on this page.
Home Modification and Repair: This program promote the safety and well-being of adults in their homes; designed to increase accessibility, reduce the risk of injury, and improve older adults’ ability to stay at home; it may also include the purchase of certain assistive devices. It’s managed locally by your local Area Agencies on Aging.
South Carolina Rural Residents (1 program)
The USDA provide home improvement loans and government grants to low-income homeowners in South Carolina’s rural areas.
SC homeowner amounts:
Grant (average): $13,200
Loan (average): $7,800
Who may apply for this program?
To qualify, you must:
- – Be the homeowner and occupy the house
- – Be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere
- – Have a family income below 50 percent of the area median income
- – For grants, be age 62 or older and not be able to repay a repair loan
What is an eligible area?
Applicants may check the address of their home to determine eligibility.
How may funds be used?
- Loans may be used to repair, improve or modernize housing or remove health and safety hazards
- Grants must be used to remove health and safety hazards
How much money can I get?
- – Maximum loan is $40,000
- – Maximum grant is $10,000
- – Loans and grants can be combined for up to $50,000 in payment assistance
What are the terms of the loan or grant?
- – Loans can be repaid over 20 years
- – Loan interest rate is fixed at 1%
- – Full title service is required for loans of $7,500 or more
- – Grants have a lifetime limit of $7,500
- – Grants must be repaid if the property is sold in less than 3 years
- – If applicants can repay part, but not all of the costs, applicants may be offered a loan and grant combination
Is there a deadline to apply?
Applications for this program are accepted through your local USDA’s RD office all year round
How long does an application take?
Approval times depend on funds availability in your area.
SC programs by County & City (28 programs)
South Carolina counties have approved home repair and government grant programs and most major cities also have similar help for homeowners. Cities and counties received over $57M ($38M CDGB + $19M HOME) last fiscal year to help residents with various programs.
If you don’t see your county or city below you should contact it directly and ask them if the city have a home repair program.
Greenville County (2 programs)
Home Repair Assistance: This program offers assistance with critical home repairs for seniors, disabled homeowners, and low-income families. Covered repairs include roofing, HVAC systems, outdated electrical systems, and updates for handicap accessibility.
SHARE Housing Repair: Program provides emergency repairs or major rehabilitation for homeowners with incomes at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Repairs can include HVAC units, plumbing crises, water damage, and electrical issues.
City of Greenville (1 program)
Homeowner Rehabilitation: Program provides up to $24,500 for qualified low-income, owner-occupants to rehabilitate their homes. The city partners with Rebuild Upstate and Habitat for Humanity to deliver these services.
Richland County (0 program)
The county does not have its own program but they provide resources to the latest home repair help in the county.
Charleston County (1 program)
Critical Home Repair: Program focuses on making homes livable and safe with minor repairs and improvements for low-to-moderate income residents.
Charleston (2 programs)
Substantial Rehabilitation: Program provides financial assistance to home owners with major housing repair needs. The owner is required to provide a minimum of 20% of the cost of construction. Maximum loan amount of $80,000.00 and a term of 20-30 years.
Roof Replacement: Program pay for 50% with a a 10 year loan term with payments calculated at 3% interest rate. The owner will make monthly payments during the first five years of the loan.of the work cost and the other 5 years years are forgiven.
North Charleston (0 program)
The city does not have its own home repair and improvement program but they have a list of local help you can contact.
Horry County (1 program)
Home Repair Grants: Offers programs for home repairs to improve windows, doors, roofs, HVAC systems, water heaters, flooring, plumbing, siding, electrical, insulation, accessibility improvements, and other associated repairs to address housing problems.
Spartanburg County (2 program)
The county provide low interest loan programs to help repair homes.
Rehabilitation:
– Standard Rehabilitation includes costs of $1,000 – $25,000
– Extensive Rehabilitation includes costs of $25,000 – $40,000
– Substantial Rehabilitation includes costs of $40,000 – $65,000
Reconstruction:
– Reconstruction may occur only if the cost to rehabilitate is greater than 75% of the estimated property value after rehabilitation.
– The total program limit for a Reconstruction is $151,000.
– Reconstruction projects that exceed the program limit for Reconstruction must obtain other, non-County forms of financing for any remaining amount.
Lexington County (1 program)
Homeowner Rehabilitation: Programs help homeowners with essential repairs and improvements.
Comprehensive Rehabilitation: repairs up to $30,000.
Minor Home Repair: repairs up to $15,000.
York County (1 program)
The county does not have it’s own home repair or improvement program. You can get help with State programs, the USDA program and local non-profits.
Berkeley County (1 program)
Home Repair Grants: This program provides funds to low- and moderate-income persons to help pay for necessary home repairs, including roofs, septic systems, and other improvements.
Anderson County (1 program)
Home Repair Assistance: Rebuild Upstate provides repair grants for critical repairs and improvements for homeowners in need.
Beaufort County (1 program)
Housing Preservation Grant: Program’s funds may be used to make improvements that contribute to the health, safety and well-being of the occupant, structural integrity or long-term preservation of the owner occupied single family dwelling.
Aiken County (0 program)
The county does not have it’s own home repair or improvement program. You can get help with State programs the USDA program and local non-profits.
Dorchester County (0 program)
The county does not have it’s own home repair or improvement program. You can get help with State programs, the USDA program and local non-profits.
Florence County (0 program)
The county does not have it’s own home repair or improvement program. You can get help with State programs, the USDA program and local non-profits.
Pickens County (0 program)
The county does not have it’s own home repair or improvement program. You can get help with State programs, the USDA program and local non-profits.
Sumter County (0 program)
The county does not have it’s own home repair or improvement program. You can get help with State programs, the USDA program and local non-profits.
Confused about home improvement programs terms?
It can be confusing to understand the terms. Lots of different organizations have different words for the same type of help programs: home improvement grant, home repair grants, programs, free grants, relief service, repair assistance, etc. They are all synonyms of programs designed to help low and moderate income homeowners repair and fix important element of their house.