Horry County is prepared to assist residents struggling to pay their rent due to the economic impacts of COVID-19. Horry County has received $622,221 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program. This federally-funded program will support the temporary expansion of the Homeless Prevention assistance program being offered by the Eastern Carolina Housing Organization (ECHO) to help families and individuals facing eviction to stay in their homes.

On May 15, 2020, South Carolina courts lifted the moratorium on evictions. The rental assistance program will provide a measure of relief for people who are experiencing sudden economic hardship because of COVID-19, including renters and their landlords.  

“This is an unprecedented situation. Our goal is to utilize our federal resources to keep Horry County families safe and in their homes,” said Courtney Frappaolo, Director of Horry County Community Development.

Horry County partners with Eastern Carolina Housing Organization (ECHO) to provide rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention assistance to Horry County individuals and families. “One of the most important things we can do to prevent homelessness is to keep people housed in the first place,” said Joey Smoak, CEO of ECHO. “Our goal is to ensure that individuals are not forced out of their home as a result of lost income due to COVID-19.”   

Applications for assistance will be available via an online application system accessible from ECHO’s website at www.echousing.org. Interested applicants who do not have computer access can call the ECHO Access Point at 843-213-1798 to complete an application over the telephone.

All applicants will be screened for eligibility, must meet targeting threshold requirements, and will be asked to provide documentation including: verification of household income and either a Magistrate’s Court Order of Eviction or a letter from their landlord stating the applicant is behind on rent and will be evicted within 14 days.