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Contact Information, Office Hours, Functions,
Department Responsibilities, FAQ's, Common Terms
Grant Information and Applications
Five-Year Consolidated Plan (2011- 2016)
This comprehensive document outlines Charleston County’s priorities for housing and community development projects in the coming years. The application conference and request for applications are generally available in late winter/early spring through the Charleston County Procurement Department.
Table of Contents CONSOLIDATED PLAN (2011-2016)
Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER)
Currently, Charleston County receives Community Development Block Grant, HOME and Emergency Shelter Grant funds through the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) office in order to address our community’s low-to-moderate income needs. Every year, the County publishes a Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) that provides an overview of the project status, performance measures and fiscal expenditures for the HUD funds. The CAPER is posted annually for public comment during the month of September in accordance with the Citizen Participation Plan.
Table of Contents-Intro PROGRAM YEAR 2010 CAPER
Fair Housing
The Charleston County Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) examines policies and practices that may limit residents’ ability to choose housing in an environment free from discrimination. The AI assembles fair housing information, identifies any existing barriers that limit housing choice, and proposes actions to overcome those barriers. The County’s AI was drafted collaboratively with the City of Charleston and the City of North Charleston.
ANALYSIS TO IMPEDIMENTS (AI)
All recipients of HUD funding are required to prominently display the Fair Housing Poster in their place of business with access to community members. Available in English and Spanish.
FAIR HOUSING POSTER
FAIR HOUSING POSTER (Spanish)
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Functions
The Community Services Department actively seeks available grant funding for County programs and provides administrative and financial oversight for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These activities include the Urban Entitlement Program. Additionally, the Community Services Department manages the Charleston Development Corporation, the Medically Indigent Assistance Program (MIAP) and special projects.
Urban Entitlement funding through HUD is designed to improve housing and neighborhoods in economically disadvantaged areas. This is accomplished by various community development activities and by sub-granting funding to area organizations through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Partnership Investment (HOME), and the newly-created Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs.
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This Department Does
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Coordinate and provide financial and programmatic oversight for County grant activities within the department and programmatic oversight of the Urban Entitlement Program. |
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Provide support and oversight to the Medically Indigent Assistance Program for medical inpatient services/charges for indigent citizens. Contact (843) 202-6960. |
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Oversees the Charleston Development Corporation |
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| This Department's Functions |
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Urban Entitlement Program |
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Administers the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), the Emergency Solutions Grant Program (ESG), and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) |
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Operates federally-funded programs through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) |
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Gives technical assistance to sub-grantee organizations |
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Operates a well and septic systems upgrade program in economically disadvantaged areas of the County |
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Provides funding for public infrastructure and affordable housing development through the use of federal funds awarded to local organizations |
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Special Projects
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Seeks funding opportunities through research of available grants offered by federal, state and local organizations. |
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Manages the Charleston Development Corporation. The Charleston Development Corporation's mission is to further human, social and economic development in Charleston County and to promote a healthier and safer community. The principal objective of the corporation is to benefit the community by fostering a positive social environment, thereby reducing the burdens of government and combating community deterioration. This includes, but is not limited to, fostering residential housing development, reducing unsanitary water and sewage conditions, encouraging existing and new industrial growth, and addressing the problems related to the use of alcohol and other drugs. |
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Oversees the Medically Indigent Assistance Program (MIAP) |
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Prepares and distributes a monthly listing of available federal, state, local and charitable funding opportunities to area nonprofits, faith-based organizations and other interested parties. If you would like to be added to the e-mail distribution list, send a request to vmarshall@charlestoncounty.org.
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| This Department Does Not |
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Provide personal or for profit grants |
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Provide mortgage loans |
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Buy houses |
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Provide Section 8 certification (See Housing Authorities) |
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Sell Housing and Urban Development repossessed houses |
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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How can I get my home fixed?
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The Department no longer administers a housing rehabilitation program. Citizens in need of minor home repairs are encouraged to contact the local Trident United Way Community Hotline by either dialing 211 (similar to dialing 911 in an emergency), 843-747-3007, or by visiting their website at http://www.211help.org/. Citizens are also encouraged to contact their Town Hall to inquire if their town provides minor home repair services.
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Could you tell me more about the septic/well upgrade program? |
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The Community Development Division uses grant funding to pay for upgrades to eligible well and septic systems in Charleston County. The assistance is provided to qualified low to moderate income residents who reside in Charleston County where well and/or septic systems are the primary source of water. Applications are accepted and placed on a waiting list. The applications may be found at http://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/CommunityServices/FormsIndex.htm or by calling 202-6976. |
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| Common Terms |
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CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) - A federal grant program designed to improve housing and neighborhoods in economically disadvantaged areas and to provide economic development for local governments.
ESG (Emergency Solutions Grants) - A program designed to be the first step in a continuum of assistance to prevent homelessness and to enable homeless individuals and families to move toward independent living.
HOME (HOME Investment Partnership Act) - The HOME Program was created by the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 (NAHA). Its objective is to provide decent affordable housing to lower income households, expand the capacity of non-profit providers and strengthen the ability of state and local governments to provide housing.
HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) - The federal agency that oversees housing and community development projects.
MIAP (Medically Indigent Assistance Program) – Provides inpatient hospital services for indigent individuals. Contact (843) 202-6960.
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| Interesting Facts |
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Through special legislation, the Community Services Department received Urban Entitlement status which enables the County to broaden its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) efforts. At the time, there had been only six such designations in the country. Since 1978, CS has received more than $6,558,000 in CDBG funds, rehabilitated more than 175 owner-occupied housing units, provided funding for infrastructure construction and connected more than 100 family dwellings to those systems.
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| Contact Information |
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Community Services, Medically Indigent Assistance Program and Charleston Development Corporation
Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Service Building
4045 Bridge View Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 202-6960
(843) 202-6961 (Fax)
Office Hours
Monday-Friday
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
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