How Integrity Home Repair Works in South Carolina
What Integrity Home Repair does
Integrity Home Repair is a nonprofit organization based in South Carolina that helps homeowners pay for essential plumbing repairs and other home maintenance work when they cannot afford it themselves. The organization focuses on owner-occupied homes where the resident is struggling financially—whether due to age, disability, job loss, or fixed income—and where the repair is necessary for health and safety.
Integrity Home Repair does not lend money or require repayment. Instead, the organization either pays contractors directly to complete the work or provides materials and volunteer labor to get the job done. The goal is to keep people in their homes by addressing problems like burst pipes, non-functioning toilets, leaking roofs, or electrical hazards before they become emergencies.
Key Takeaways
- Integrity Home Repair serves homeowners in South Carolina who own their home and have a household income below a certain threshold, which varies by county.
- The organization prioritizes repairs that affect health and safety, such as plumbing failures, roof leaks, and electrical problems—not cosmetic upgrades.
- You contact Integrity Home Repair directly to request an assessment; they will visit your home to evaluate the damage and determine whether you meet their criteria.
- The organization pays for repairs or provides materials and labor at no cost to you; there is no loan to repay.
- Wait times vary depending on the complexity of the repair and the organization's current workload and funding.
Who can request repairs through Integrity Home Repair
Integrity Home Repair serves homeowners—not renters—who live in their own home in South Carolina. Your household income must fall below a threshold set by the organization; this limit varies by county and household size. The organization prioritizes people who are elderly, disabled, or living on a fixed income, though anyone meeting the income requirement may request an assessment.
The home itself must be in a condition where the repair is necessary for safe living. A burst pipe, a roof leak that is damaging the interior, a non-functioning heating system in winter, or exposed electrical wiring all may have access to. Cosmetic repairs, upgrades, or improvements to increase home value do not.
How to request a repair assessment
Contact Integrity Home Repair directly by phone or through their website to describe the problem and request a home visit. Be ready to provide your address, a brief description of what is broken or damaged, and information about your household income and size. The organization will schedule a time for a representative to visit and assess the damage in person.
During the assessment, Integrity Home Repair will determine whether the repair meets their criteria, whether you meet their income requirements, and what the repair will cost. They will also discuss the timeline and whether they will hire a contractor, provide materials for volunteer work, or use a combination of both. Not every request results in a repair—the organization must prioritize based on funding, urgency, and how many people are waiting.
What happens after the assessment
If Integrity Home Repair approves your request, they will arrange for the repair to be completed. In some cases, they hire licensed contractors to do the work. In others, they provide materials and coordinate volunteer labor. Either way, you pay nothing—no labor costs, no materials, no hidden fees.
The timeline depends on the complexity of the repair, the availability of contractors or volunteers, and how many other requests are ahead of yours. A simple plumbing fix might be scheduled within weeks; a major roof repair could take longer. Integrity Home Repair will keep you informed about when work will begin and what to expect.
Income limits and how they are determined
Integrity Home Repair uses income thresholds based on federal poverty guidelines, adjusted for household size and sometimes by county. These limits change annually. To find out whether your household income qualifies, contact the organization directly with your household size and approximate annual income; they can tell you immediately whether you meet the threshold.
Income includes wages, Social Security, disability payments, pensions, and other regular sources of money. The organization will ask for documentation—such as recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit statements—to verify income during the assessment process.
What types of repairs Integrity Home Repair covers
Integrity Home Repair prioritizes repairs that affect health, safety, or the basic function of the home. Plumbing emergencies—burst pipes, non-functioning toilets, sewage backups—are common. Roof leaks that damage the interior, heating system failures in winter, electrical hazards, and structural problems that make the home unsafe also may have access to.
The organization does not cover cosmetic work, upgrades, or preventive maintenance. Painting, new flooring, kitchen remodeling, or replacing a working roof to improve appearance will not be funded. The repair must be necessary to keep the home safe and livable.
Funding and wait times
Integrity Home Repair relies on grants, donations, and community support to fund repairs. This means the organization's capacity changes throughout the year. When funding is available and the workload is light, repairs may be scheduled quickly. When funds are limited or many requests are pending, wait times can be several months.
If your repair is urgent—such as a burst pipe in winter or a roof leak during heavy rain—tell Integrity Home Repair during your initial contact. The organization will assess whether your situation qualifies for priority scheduling. However, even urgent repairs may take time if contractors are booked or materials must be ordered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to repay Integrity Home Repair for the repairs?
No. Integrity Home Repair is a nonprofit organization that provides repairs at no cost to homeowners who meet their income and need criteria. There is no loan, no repayment plan, and no hidden fees. The repair is a gift to help you stay in your home safely.
What if I rent my home instead of owning it?
Integrity Home Repair serves owner-occupants only—people who own the home they live in. If you rent, you would need to speak with your landlord about repairs, as they are responsible for maintaining the property. Some communities have repair programs for renters, but Integrity Home Repair is not one of them.
How long does it usually take from the assessment to the repair being completed?
The timeline varies widely depending on the type of repair, the availability of contractors or volunteers, and how many other requests are in the queue. Simple repairs might take a few weeks; complex or major work could take several months. Integrity Home Repair will give you a realistic estimate during the assessment.
What if I am denied—can I appeal or reapply later?
If your request is denied, ask Integrity Home Repair why and whether circumstances might change. If your income situation improves or you address part of the problem yourself, you may be able to reapply. The organization's funding and priorities also shift, so a repair that was not possible one year might be possible later.
Does Integrity Home Repair work in all parts of South Carolina?
Integrity Home Repair's service area and capacity vary. Contact the organization directly to confirm whether they serve your county and whether they are currently accepting new requests. Some areas may have longer wait times or different income thresholds than others.