How to Find Home Repair Help in Horry County

Where to Start When Your Home Needs Repairs

Horry County offers several programs that help homeowners pay for repairs, including windows, roofing, plumbing, and structural work. The programs available depend on your income, the age of your home, and whether you own or rent. Most are run by the county's Community Development office or by nonprofits that partner with the county. Starting with your local government is the fastest way to learn which programs have funds open right now, since many close when money runs out and reopen later in the year.

The main entry point is Horry County's Community Development Department, which administers federal grants for home repair. You can also contact 211 South Carolina, a free referral service that knows which local programs are currently taking new cases. Both can tell you in one conversation whether you meet the basic income and property requirements before you spend time gathering documents.

Key Takeaways

• Horry County Community Development Department runs the largest home repair program and can tell you immediately if funds are open and whether your income qualifies.
• Most programs require you to own your home outright or have a mortgage, live in it as your primary residence, and meet income limits that vary by household size.
• Repairs are usually prioritized by safety risk—structural damage, roof leaks, and electrical hazards move faster than cosmetic work.
• The process typically takes two to four months from application to work completion, so plan accordingly if you need repairs before winter.
• 211 South Carolina can refer you to programs you may not find on your own, including those run by nonprofits and faith-based organizations.

Horry County Community Development Programs

The Community Development Department administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which funds home repairs for low- to moderate-income homeowners. This is the largest and most consistent source of repair funding in the county. The program covers structural repairs, roof replacement, plumbing, electrical work, HVAC systems, and window replacement. It does not cover cosmetic updates or routine maintenance.

To be considered, you must own your home, live in it as your primary residence, and meet income limits. For a household of four, the limit is typically around $60,000 annually, though this varies by year. Your home must be in unincorporated Horry County or in a participating municipality—call ahead to confirm your address qualifies. The application requires proof of income (tax returns or pay stubs), a property deed, proof of homeownership insurance, and photos of the damage or needed repair.

Once you submit an application, the county sends an inspector to assess the work. If approved, you receive a grant (not a loan) that covers the repair cost up to a set limit, usually $25,000 to $50,000 depending on the year and available funding. The county contracts the work or reimburses you after completion. Contact Horry County Community Development at their main office to request an application or ask about current funding status.

Nonprofit and Faith-Based Repair Programs

Several nonprofits in Horry County run repair programs alongside or separate from county funding. Habitat for Humanity Horry County focuses on new construction but also handles critical repairs for families in crisis. The Waccamaw Riverkeeper Foundation and local churches sometimes fund emergency repairs, particularly roof work and water damage. These programs often move faster than government grants because they have smaller caseloads, though funding is more limited.

may be able to access for nonprofit programs varies widely. Some require you to volunteer a certain number of hours, others prioritize elderly or disabled homeowners, and some focus on specific neighborhoods. 211 South Carolina maintains a current list of which nonprofits are accepting cases and what their requirements are. You can also contact your church or neighborhood association—many have relationships with local repair ministries and can point you toward programs that match your situation.

What Repairs Are Covered and What Are Not

Most programs prioritize repairs that affect safety and livability. A leaking roof, rotted foundation, broken plumbing, faulty electrical wiring, or inoperable heating system will move to the front of the queue. Window replacement is covered when windows are broken, rotted, or missing weatherstripping that causes energy loss and water infiltration. Replacement windows that improve energy efficiency but are not damaged may be lower priority depending on the program's current backlog.

Repairs that are typically not covered include kitchen or bathroom remodeling, new appliances, painting, landscaping, deck building, and pool repairs. Some programs will not fund work on rental properties or homes with significant equity. If your repair does not fit the standard categories, ask the program administrator whether it qualifies as a health or safety issue—sometimes exceptions are made for situations like mold, pest infestation, or accessibility needs for a disabled household member.

The Application and Inspection Process

The timeline from application to completed work usually runs eight to sixteen weeks, depending on the program and current demand. Start by contacting Horry County Community Development or calling 211 to confirm which programs are open. Request an application packet, which will include income verification forms, property documentation requirements, and a description of the repair work needed.

Gather your documents before you submit: recent tax returns or pay stubs, your property deed, proof of homeowners insurance, and clear photos of the damage. Submit everything together rather than piecemeal—incomplete applications sit in queue longer. Once received, the program schedules an inspection, usually within two to four weeks. The inspector photographs the damage, estimates the repair cost, and determines whether the work meets program standards. You will receive written notice of approval or denial, and if approved, the program either hires a contractor or tells you how to submit bids for reimbursement.

Income Limits and What They Mean

Most Horry County repair programs use Area Median Income (AMI) to set may be able to access. Low-income households typically may have access to at 50 to 60 percent of AMI, and moderate-income at 80 percent. For Horry County, this means a household of four earning roughly $35,000 to $65,000 annually may be may be able to access, though the exact number changes each year based on federal calculations. A household of two has a lower limit, and a household of six has a higher one.

Income includes wages, Social Security, disability payments, child support, and rental income. It does not include one-time payments like insurance settlements or tax refunds. If you are close to the limit, report only the income you expect to receive in the next twelve months. Programs verify income by requesting tax returns from the past two years and recent pay stubs. If your income has dropped recently, bring documentation of that change—programs sometimes make exceptions for households experiencing job loss or medical hardship.

If You Rent Your Home

Most county and nonprofit repair programs are limited to homeowners because they require a long-term commitment to the property. If you rent, your options are narrower but not nonexistent. Some nonprofits will pressure landlords to make repairs by offering to fund the work directly, which protects tenants without requiring the tenant to apply. Contact your local housing authority or 211 to ask whether any landlord-focused repair programs exist in your area.

If your rental has a serious habitability issue—no heat, no hot water, mold, or structural damage—you may have legal recourse. South Carolina tenant law requires landlords to maintain habitable conditions. Document the problem with photos and written notice to your landlord, then contact South Carolina's Department of Consumer Affairs or a local legal aid office for guidance on your rights and next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get help if my home is in a city rather than unincorporated Horry County?

It depends on the city. Some municipalities like Myrtle Beach and Conway have their own Community Development programs or participate in the county program. Others do not. Call your city's planning or community development office to ask whether repair funding is available. If not, 211 can refer you to nonprofits that serve your area regardless of city boundaries.

What if I owe back taxes or have a lien on my home?

Back property taxes or tax liens typically disqualify you from county programs because the grant would benefit the government rather than you. However, some nonprofits will work with you if you have a plan to resolve the tax debt. Be honest about it on your application—programs find out during the title search anyway, and transparency helps.

Do I have to use the contractor the program picks, or can I hire my own?

Most programs hire the contractor for you to ensure quality and protect the grant money. Some allow you to get bids and submit them for approval, then reimburse you after the work is done and inspected. Ask the program administrator about their process before you apply. If you hire your own contractor, keep all receipts and invoices—you will need them to prove the work was completed.

How long does it take from approval to having the work done?

After approval, the program typically schedules the work within four to eight weeks, depending on contractor availability and weather. Emergency repairs like roof leaks or no heat may move faster. The actual repair work usually takes one to three weeks depending on complexity. Plan for the entire process—application through completion—to take three to five months.

What if I do not meet the income limit but still need repairs?

If your income is slightly above the limit, ask whether the program has flexibility or a waitlist for households just over the threshold. If not, explore nonprofit programs, which sometimes have higher income limits or different may be able to access rules. You can also look into low-interest home repair loans through community banks or credit unions, though these require repayment unlike grants.