Homeownership Assistance

Homeownership Assistance is open. Attend an upcoming workshop.

The Richland County Homeownership Assistance Program (RCHAP) is run by the Richland County Community Development Office. The program provides down payment and closing cost assistance, or principal reduction, to help income-eligible families.

Upcoming Workshops

This workshop educates citizens about the homeownership process and offers eligible individuals or families a deferred forgivable loan of up to $24,500 to assist with down payment and closing costs.

• Tuesday, August 12, 2025
• Tuesday, September 9, 2025
• Tuesday, October 14, 2025
• Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Register for a Workshop

Location: Sheriff’s Department Annex at 2500 Decker Blvd., Columbia, SC 29223
Time: 6-7 p.m.

• You must be registered to attend. No walk-ins are permitted or loitering without registration.
• Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. No one will be allowed to access the orientation after 6 p.m.
• Capacity is limited to 75.
• Children are unable to attend.

Goal

The goal of the Richland County Homeownership Assistance Program is to provide down payment and closing cost assistance to make homeownership possible in Richland County.

Purpose

The Richland County Homeownership Assistance Program (RCHAP) provides down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing a home in unincorporated Richland County. RCHAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These funds are used to support eligible first-time homebuyers with down payment and closing cost assistance, helping to make homeownership more accessible and affordable for low-to-moderate income households.

Program Priority

Richland County Community Development's RCHAP program prioritizes expanding homeownership opportunities for low-to-moderate-income households. The RCHAP program is a forgivable loan of up to $24,500 to support closing costs and/or down payments for purchasing a single-family home, helping families achieve long-term housing stability.

Qualifications to be Eligible

• Must be a resident of South Carolina.
• Cannot have a contract on a house until after completing program requirements.
• Must be qualified as a household of low to moderate income; see the HUD income limits below. (Limits change yearly.)
• Must be a first-time homebuyer or have not owned property for the last three years.

Application

To receive an application, you must attend the Richland County Homeownership Workshop, which is held once a month. Please note that seating is limited.

HUD Income Limits 2025

HUD Income Limits 2025 for Columbia SC (Richland County) Metro FMR Area

Maximum gross household income for the number of people in home

• 1: $51,950
• 2: $59,350
• 3: $66,750
• 4: $74,150
• 5: $80,100
• 6: $86,050
• 7: $91,950
• 8: $97,900

Source: U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. Limits updated annually.

Eligible Properties

• Must be a single-family detached dwelling located in the unincorporated areas of Richland County.
• The selected properties must be built after 1978.
• Each property must be able to pass a rigid inspection that will guarantee the home is livable, safe and does not require immediate repair.
• Max purchase price: Existing home price: $228,000 / New Construction: $273,000

Loan Assistance

• The assistance will be provided as a deferred, forgivable, second mortgage.
• Approved applicants must live in the home for five (5) years from the time of closing for the loan to be forgiven. (If the applicant does not use the home as the primary residence for the five-year period, the assistance must be repaid based on a prorated formula.)
• The maximum Loan amount is up to $24,500.

Program Requirements

Please follow the step-by-step process to avoid disruption in the application process.

Pre-Orientation Checklist

• Please ensure that your annual income does not exceed the 80% limits presented on the table above.
• No contract is to be ratified on a home without acceptance into the program.
• When working with a lender and realtor, ensure they are knowledgeable about the process to maximize efficiency in the homebuying journey.
• Must be able to secure a mortgage, independent of a co-signer. (Pre-approval letter must be within 30 days of the issued date for application submission.)

Step 1

All applicants must attend the Homeownership Assistance Workshop to receive the official application.

Step 2

Once you've received the application, you must attend the homebuying classes. The certificate is valid for one year from the listed date. You may attend classes after orientation.

Step 3

After attending the workshop, attending the home buying classes, and a pre-approval letter from a reputable lender, you may submit the application. Please refer to the application checklist you received during the workshop with the required paperwork needed to submit your application. No application will be accepted without all of the required documents.

The $50 application processing fee is non-refundable.

Step 4

Once the application is submitted with all the required paperwork, the application process takes up to 30 business days. Please note the application approval time when considering your home-buying process.

All applicants will receive written notification—either a denial or eligibility letter—once the application review process is complete.