Richland County Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Phone line: 855-216-9198

Application online portal: Click here.

Household Eligibility Requirements

1. One or more individuals within the household has

   1. qualified for unemployment benefits or

   2. experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID–19) outbreak, which the applicant shall attest in writing (see Justifying Economic Hardship below); and

2. One or more individuals within the household can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which may include

   1. a past due utility or rent notice or eviction notice;

   2. unsafe or unhealthy living conditions; or

   3. any other evidence of such risk, as determined by the eligible grantee involved (see Justifying Homeless and Housing Instability below); and

3. The household has a household income that is not more than 80 percent of the area median income.

Richland County is providing ERA grants to eligible households through an application process. The funding provided will assist with the following: rent, utilities and home energy costs, and other expenses related to housing incurred directly or indirectly due to the pandemic.

Eligible Expenses

Rental or utility assistance will include:

• Monthly Payment made on behalf of eligible household to landlord/property management agent or utility provider for 3 months’ rent and utilities up to a maximum of 12 months; or

• Monthly Arrears Payment made on behalf of eligible household to landlord/property management agent or utility provider for rent or utilities accrued after March 13, 2020; or

• Monthly payment combination of items a. and b. made on behalf of eligible household to landlord/property management agent or utility provider.

Emergency rental assistance will not be paid directly to households except in cases where the landlord does not agree to participate in the program.

Such “other” expenses include relocation expenses and rental fees which may include rental security deposits, rental fees (which may include application or screening fees if a household has been temporarily or permanently displaced due to the COVID-19 outbreak; reasonable accrued late fees (if not included in rental or utility arrears and if incurred due to COVID-19); and internet service provided to the rental unit.

Internet service provided to the rental unit. For internet services to qualify, the applicant must request internet services to be eligible and must attest that the internet service provided to their residence is related to housing and is being used to engage in distance learning, telework, telemedicine or to obtain government services. All payments for housing-related expenses must be supported by documentary evidence such as a bill, invoice, or evidence of payment to the provider of the service.

Utilities and home energy costs are separately stated charges related to the occupancy of rental property. Accordingly, utilities include separately stated electricity, gas, water and sewer, trash removal and energy costs, such as fuel oil. Telecommunication services (telephone and cable) delivered to the rental dwelling are not considered to be utilities. Utilities that are covered by the landlord within rent will be treated as rent.

The cost of a hotel or motel room occupied by an eligible household may be covered using ERA assistance within the category of “other expenses related to housing incurred due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 outbreak” provided that:

• The household has been temporarily or permanently displaced from its primary residence or does not have a permanent residence elsewhere;

• The total months of assistance provided to the household do not exceed 12 months (plus an additional three months if necessary to ensure housing stability for the household); and

• Documentation of the hotel or motel stay is provided and the other applicable requirements provided in the statute and these FAQs are met.

Individual Eligibility Documentation:

1. Name and contact information.

   1. Full names and ages of all occupants (whether related or unrelated) living in the residence; and

   2. Signature of the primary applicant(s), certifying that the information provided related to the annual household income and occupants is correct.

2. Address – An applicant household must reside in a rental property located within the geographical boundaries of Richland County.

3. Status – renter or landlord.

4. Copy of current lease agreement or self-attestation in the absence of a lease agreement.

5. Household Income – must be below 80% AMI.

6. Rental payment status – In arrears or prospective?

7. Impact of Covid-19 – Is there economic hardship? How?

Occupancy Documentation:

Applicant must provide proof of occupancy.

All occupancy documentation must show services were provided anytime during the billing period of the COVID-19 pandemic period beginning March 13, 2020-to present, in the applicant or co-applicant's name, and the subject address.

1. Acceptable proof includes: Copy of electric, gas, or water bill. The bill must confirm that service was provided anytime during the billing period of the pandemic, beginning March 13, 2020 to present; or

2. Letter from electric, gas, or water company. The letter must confirm that service was provided during the billing period of the pandemic; or

3. Other qualified documents may be presented for consideration of proof of occupancy, which include but are not limited to a voter registration card from the time of the pandemic or a driver’s license from the time of the pandemic.

Economic Hardship Documentation:

1. If workplace closure or reduced hours due to COVID-19, including lay-off, termination, loss of working hours, income reduction resulting from business closure or other employer economic impacts of COVID-19:

   1. A copy of household member(s) notification of job loss/termination from employer during the eligible pandemic period (March 13, 2020 to present); or

   2. A copy of household member(s) notification of furlough from employer during the eligible pandemic period (March 13, 2020 to present); or

   3. A copy of household member(s) notification confirming reduction in hours and/or pay during the eligible pandemic period (March 13, 2020 to present); or

   4. A copy of household member(s) application during the eligible pandemic period (March 13, 2020 to present) and/or approval for Unemployment Insurance benefits; or

   5. A signed self-certification that includes the name of the household member who is self-employed, the name and nature of the business, and narrative confirming economic impact on self-employment during eligible pandemic period (March 13, 2020 to present).

2. Documentation of sickness with COVID-19 or caring for a household or family member who is sick with COVID-19;

3. Documentation of extraordinary out-of-pocket childcare expenses due to school closures, medical expenses, or health care expenditures stemming from COVID-19 infection of the tenant or a member of the tenant’s household who is ill with COVID-19;

4. Documentation of compliance with a recommendation from a government health authority to stay home, self-quarantine, or avoid congregating with others during the state of emergency;

5. Documentation of Reasonable expenditures stemming from government ordered emergency measures; and

6. Documentation of any additional factors relevant to the tenant’s reduction in income as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.

Application Steps

1. Online on the Richland County website (http://www.richlandcountysc.gov/).

2. Via phone: A telephone hotline will be established for assistance in submitting an application. The hotline will allow the prospective applicant to speak directly with an intake staff member.