Skip to main content

What DHP Real Estate Does and How It Works in South Carolina

By Constance Obi · Culture & Recreation Writer

DHP Real Estate is a state program that helps renters avoid eviction by paying landlords directly

DHP stands for Disaster Housing Program. In South Carolina, it pays rent arrears (money you already owe) straight to your landlord when you have fallen behind because of a natural disaster, job loss, or other hardship. The program does not give you the money—it sends payment to the landlord on your behalf. You must have a signed lease, proof of the hardship, and documentation that you cannot pay on your own.

The program is run by the South Carolina Department of Housing, Finance and Development Authority (DHFDA). Funds come from state and federal sources and are distributed through local housing authorities and nonprofit partners across the state. Each county or region may have its own intake process and current funding status, so the first step is always to contact your local housing authority or call 211 to find out whether the program is currently taking new cases in your area.

Key Takeaways

  • DHP pays your landlord directly for rent you already owe, not for future rent, so you must be behind on payments to be considered.
  • You will need a signed lease, proof of your hardship, recent pay stubs or income documentation, and your landlord's contact information to move forward.
  • The program is administered locally through county housing authorities and nonprofit agencies, so availability and processing times vary by location.
  • Your local housing authority or a 211 call can tell you whether DHP is currently open in your area and what the next step is.
  • Approval typically takes several weeks, so inform your landlord that you have sought assistance and ask them to pause eviction proceedings if possible.

Who runs DHP and where to contact them

The South Carolina DHFDA oversees the program statewide, but the actual intake and processing happen at the county level. Most applications go through your county or regional housing authority, or through a nonprofit partner agency that has been contracted to handle DHP cases in your area. You can find your local housing authority by searching the DHFDA website or by calling 211, which is a free referral line that connects you to local resources.

When you call 211 or your housing authority, have your lease, landlord's name and phone number, and a brief description of your hardship ready. The staff member will tell you whether DHP is currently accepting cases, what documents you need to gather, and whether you should apply in person, by mail, or online. Processing times and application methods differ by county, so do not assume the process in one part of the state matches another.

What documents you need to gather

Before you contact your local program, collect the following: a signed lease showing your name, your landlord's name, and the monthly rent amount; proof of the hardship (such as a layoff notice, medical bill, or disaster declaration); recent pay stubs or tax returns showing your current income; and a statement from your landlord confirming how much rent you owe and the dates of non-payment. Some programs also ask for a utility bill or other proof that you live at the address on the lease.

If you do not have all of these documents, do not wait. Call your local housing authority or 211 anyway—staff can often tell you which documents are absolutely required and which are helpful but not essential. Some programs will work with you to obtain missing paperwork, particularly if you are facing an imminent eviction court date.

How the payment process works

Once you are approved, DHP does not send money to you. Instead, the program contacts your landlord directly and arranges payment. In most cases, the landlord receives a check or electronic transfer for the full amount of arrears you owe. The landlord is expected to accept this payment and stop or withdraw any eviction action. Some leases or local laws may require the landlord to also forgive late fees, though this varies.

The entire process—from application to payment—usually takes two to six weeks, depending on how quickly you submit documents and how busy your local program is. If you have an eviction court date coming up, tell your landlord immediately that you have applied for DHP assistance and ask them to request a continuance (a delay) from the court. Providing your landlord with the case number or contact information for your local DHP program can help convince them to hold off.

What happens if you are denied or the fund runs out

Some counties run out of DHP funding before the end of the fiscal year. If that happens, your local program will close intake temporarily and reopen when new funds arrive. If you are denied, the program will explain why in writing. Common reasons include income above the program's limit, a lease that does not meet program requirements, or a hardship that falls outside the program's scope.

If you are denied or the fund is closed, ask your housing authority or 211 about other rental assistance programs in your area. South Carolina also has Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) programs, which operate differently and may have different may be able to access rules. Some nonprofits and community action agencies also offer emergency rent help. Your local housing authority can point you toward these alternatives.

Income limits and other may be able to access rules

DHP typically serves households at or below 80 percent of the area median income, though the exact limit depends on your county and family size. You must also be a South Carolina resident and have a signed lease. The hardship must be recent—usually within the last 12 months—and you must show that you cannot pay the rent on your own. Being behind on rent is a requirement, not a disqualification.

If you own your home or live in subsidized housing (such as public housing or Section 8), you may not be may be able to access for DHP. Ask your local program whether your situation qualifies. Income limits and hardship definitions can shift year to year, so even if you were denied in the past, it is worth checking again if you are facing eviction now.

How DHP differs from other rental assistance programs

DHP is one of several programs that can help with rent in South Carolina. Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA), run by individual counties, also pays landlords directly but may have different income limits and processing times. Some nonprofits offer one-time emergency grants that work faster but cover smaller amounts. The key difference with DHP is that it is a state program with consistent rules across counties, whereas ERA programs vary more widely by location.

If you are unsure which program to pursue, start with 211 or your local housing authority. They can tell you which programs are currently open, which one might move fastest for your situation, and whether you can apply to more than one at the same time. In most cases, you can—and should—apply to multiple programs if you are facing eviction soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for DHP if I have already been evicted?

No. DHP is designed to prevent eviction, not to help you move back in after one has happened. If you have an active eviction case, apply immediately—the program prioritizes cases with court dates. If the eviction has already been completed, you would need to look at other housing resources, such as emergency shelter or rapid rehousing programs through your local housing authority.

What if my landlord will not accept the DHP payment?

This is rare but can happen. If your landlord refuses, contact your local DHP program immediately. Some programs have legal authority to hold the payment in escrow or to pay the tenant directly under certain conditions. Your program staff will know what options exist in your county and can advise you on next steps.

How long does it take from application to payment?

Most programs process DHP cases in two to six weeks, but this depends on how quickly you submit all required documents and how busy your local program is. If you have a court date sooner than that, tell your landlord and the court that you have applied. Some judges will delay eviction proceedings while assistance is pending.

Can I apply if I am self-employed or have irregular income?

Yes, but you will need to document your income differently. Self-employed applicants typically provide tax returns from the past two years, bank statements, or profit-and-loss statements. Call your local program before you apply to ask what income documentation they accept for self-employed people.

What if I do not have a signed lease?

A signed lease is usually required, but some programs will accept other proof of tenancy, such as a rental agreement, utility bills in your name, or a landlord's statement. Contact your local program to ask what documents can substitute for a lease. Do not assume you are ineligible without checking first.