Prioritizing Needs of South Carolinians with ARPA Fiscal Recovery Funds

Affordable homeownership continues to be an unattainable challenge for families across South Carolina.

Housing directly impacts health outcomes, and the more families have to spend on high rent, the less they have to spend on healthcare needs. The additional disparity between race on health and housing is also a serious concern.  

It is imperative that the state, counties, and municipalities prioritize assistance for:

1. Nonprofits, who offer solutions addressing so many of the societal and economic concerns; and

2. Affordable homeownership.

Funds must be utilized strategically to impact the negative effects COVID-19 has had on low-moderate income South Carolinians, while simultaneously mitigating the longer-term challenges that we’re facing beyond the pandemic.

To date, the state has provided $25MM in mortgage assistance via CDBG-CV. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 will provide $145MM for the Homeowner Assistance Fund; Habitat South Carolina continues to vocalize the need for tactical use of those funds for true transformational change.

Additional dollars from the state and local Fiscal Recovery Funds of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 must be allocated to affordable homeownership in South Carolina.

For more information, review:

• US Treasury Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Handout/Overview

• US Treasury Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds FAQs (updated 27 MAY 21)

• US Treasury Fact Sheet: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (updated 10 MAY 21)

• Funding Allocations for cities, counties, and nonentitlement areas in South Carolina

Public and private financial support is needed for nonprofits, like Habitat for Humanity South Carolina, to change the landscape of the housing, health, and racial disparity across the state.