Lisa Wilkerson was recently named SC Housing’s Director of Rental Assistance and Compliance, where she directs and manages the overall design, implementation and daily operations of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCVP), Performance Based Contract Administration (CA), and the multi-family Compliance Monitoring programs at SC Housing.

In this role, Wilkerson plays an integral part in fulfilling SC Housing’s mission to create quality affordable housing opportunities for the citizens of South Carolina.

Wilkerson is an experienced leader at SC Housing, where she has served for more than 18 years. She previously served as: the manager of the foreclosure, bankruptcy and REO department for five years; mortgage production and post-closing manager for four years; mortgage operations manager for an additional five years; and Director of Quality Control and Compliance. In addition, she spent much of 2021 serving as joint operations manager for the newly established federal emergency rental and homeowner assistance programs at SC Housing.

Prior to joining SC Housing, Wilkerson served as treasurer and clerk to town council at the Town of Prosperity.

Julia Cash has had a long journey to get where she is today but says she is “now at peace.” The Chicago native moved to South Carolina to live with her son and daughter-in-law in 1989. After moving into an apartment, she became a caretaker for a relative of a friend.

After the woman she was taking care of passed away, her family asked Julia if she would like to buy the house. At the time, Julia declined the offer and the woman’s son purchased the house instead. Eventually, her son turned the home over to Julie and she has lived there since 1997.

When parts of her home fell into disrepair, she went to the Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources (SHARE) for assistance. At SHARE, she was referred to Rebuild Upstate. Between support from the SC Housing Trust Fund and Rebuild Upstate, she was able to receive a new HVAC unit, replaced flooring and updates to her electricity.

Julia can now safely enjoy her home and her neighborhood in Greenville. She has seen the neighborhood change over the years, and is glad that people from different backgrounds feel welcome.

“I go through the neighborhood looking to be a blessing to someone,” she said.

Learn more about South Carolina residents who have been helped through SC Housing programs on the Faces of Home section of our website.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) appropriated $5 billion to communities across the U.S. to assist individuals and households who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, and members of other vulnerable populations to provide housing, supportive services, tenant-based rental assistance, and non-congregate shelters.

These funds were allocated by formula to jurisdictions that qualified for funding through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This special round of funding is known as the HOME-ARP Program.

HUD allocated $26,687,296 of HOME-ARP funding to SC Housing to administer the program for South Carolina. These funds must be expended by September 30, 2030.

SC Housing recently used a survey to solicit input from stakeholders and community members to determine how SC Housing’s allocation can be best utilized to make the biggest impact for the homeless, those at risk of being homeless, veterans and those fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking in South Carolina.

SC Housing will take this initial input into consideration to draft a plan for the funds. Once developed, this plan will be published for a 15-day public comment period and a public hearing will be scheduled.

To sign up for email updates about the program, and to learn more about HOME-ARP, visit the SC Housing website.

SC Stay Plus, the federally funded emergency rental and utility assistance program managed by SC Housing, has now distributed more than $173 million in rental and utility assistance on behalf of South Carolina residents.

More than 20,500 residents have already avoided evictions and housing instability through the program, and help is available online, through the call center (available 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday, at 803.336.3420 and through in-person applicant support centers across the state).

The SC Stay Plus program is available to renters in 39 counties whose household incomes are below average and have been impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. The following seven counties received other funding and are providing their own rental assistance programs: Anderson, Berkeley, Charleston, Greenville, Horry, Richland, and Spartanburg – click here for information about those programs.

The program can help impacted households get back on track by providing up to 12 months of rental and utility assistance dating back to March 13, 2020; up to three months of future rent to stabilize those with housing insecurity; and cover other housing costs (including moving expenses, motel/hotel stays, storage costs and security deposits) for those who have been displaced because of the pandemic.

More information about the utility companies and this payment support can be found on the SC Stay Plus webpage.

SC Housing is looking for landlords who are interested in guaranteed monthly income through a partnership with our agency.

If you, or someone you know, is a landlord in one of these seven counties – Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee and Lexington – consider learning more about our voucher program and how you can benefit.

Working with SC Housing provides opportunities for great benefits including:

• Fair market rate for rent guaranteed
• Incentives for lease renewals
• Security deposits for up to two months
• Renters insurance, if required
• Strong partnership

Call 803.896.9555 for more information.

Interested in a career in affordable housing?

Are you a hard-working and dedicated individual who would like to help
SC Housing accomplish its mission of ensuring all South Carolinians have access to safe, decent and affordable housing?

Learn more about available positions at SC Housing by visiting our job board to learn what opportunities may be right for you.

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