The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the implementation of federal disaster assistance for South Carolina, following Hurricane Helene's impact starting on September 25, 2024. This action follows President Biden's major disaster declaration for several counties in the state.
Federal funding is now available to individuals in Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Lexington, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, and Spartanburg counties.
Effective immediately, HUD will provide a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and those guaranteed under the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program. There is also a 90-day extension for Home Equity Conversion Mortgages. The moratorium and extension are effective as of the President’s disaster declaration date.
Homeowners affected by the disaster are advised to contact their mortgage or loan servicer immediately for assistance. Conventional mortgage holders may also be eligible for additional relief through their mortgage holder. For more information, homeowners can call the FHA Resource Center at 1-800-304-9320 or visit the FHA Disaster Relief site.
HUD’s Section 203(h) program will make mortgage insurance available when homes are destroyed or require reconstruction or complete replacement. Borrowers from participating FHA-approved lenders are eligible for 100 percent financing including closing costs.
Additionally, HUD's Section 203(k) loan program will enable individuals to finance both the purchase or refinance of a house and its repair through a single mortgage. Homeowners can also finance rehabilitation if their existing homes are damaged.
Information on housing providers and HUD programs will be shared with FEMA and state authorities to help identify available units in impacted counties. Public Housing Agencies and Multi-Family owners will be included in this information sharing effort.
Recipients of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funds and other related programs can apply for administrative flexibility in response to Presidentially Declared Major Disasters. Public Housing Agencies can also apply for needed waivers and flexibilities for disaster relief and recovery within four months of an MDD.
Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities have similar options to apply for administrative flexibility through regulatory waivers by contacting their local Office of Native American Programs or emailing Codetalk@hud.gov.
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies are prepared to assist those impacted by natural disasters in determining assistance needs and available resources. These services include foreclosure prevention counseling at no cost.
The Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity is available to assist people who believe they have experienced housing discrimination following a disaster. Complaints can be filed by calling HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or visiting HUD's website.
