Beaufort County residents struggling with rent, bills can find help at free clinic
A local nonprofit is offering a free clinic on Hilton Head Island this month to Beaufort County renters who face financial setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The clinic, sponsored by Lowcountry Legal Volunteers, will help residents who are struggling to pay their rent or utilities sign up for assistance with the state’s SC Stay Plus program.
“Many people in Beaufort County struggled to find affordable housing even before the pandemic,” SC Housing spokesman Chris Winston said. “And given the number of people impacted financially — especially in the hospitality and tourism industries — we know the need remains great.”
The state’s housing finance and development authority launched the program last May. The authority estimates that Beaufort County has 4,681 “severely cost burdened” renter households that may qualify for the roughly $272 million statewide program.
The program is intended to help South Carolinians who struggled since the start of the pandemic due to layoffs and furloughs.
So far, the program has assisted more than 750 families with more than $4.2 million in rental and utility assistance, Winston said.
“We look forward to helping more families get the help they need to remain safely in their homes,” he said.
Eligible applicants could receive up to 12 months of assistance with late rent and/or utility payments dating back to March 13, 2020. Some people may also qualify for up to three months of future rent assistance.
The program is funded by the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, a $2.3 trillion spending bill that Congress passed in late 2020.
How to register
When: March 21, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Community Room, 20 Wilborn Road, Hilton Head, SC 29926
You must schedule an appointment and pre-register at (843) 815-1570.
What you need to bring
▪ A valid ID (domestic or foreign)
▪ Some record to show lease, lease arrangements or payments to landlord
▪ Proof of income (pay stubs, tax documents, etc.)
To view the list of other free clinics, visit lowcountrylegalvolunteers/clinics.com.
