AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Housing Division - General Information

The City of Florence’s Housing Division serves its residents by assisting low to moderate income citizens in securing affordable housing.  Currently, the City is providing eligible applicants $7,500.00 down payment assistance and up to $2,500.00 closing cost assistance.  The division also assists individuals with emergency rehabilitation of their existing home.

HOMEOWNER PROPERTY REHABILITATION PROGRAMS

The City of Florence’s Housing Division offers both loans and grants to low and moderate income homeowners to fund the rehabilitation of their residential property.  These owner-occupants must have a median household income less than 80% of the average income for Florence.  Funds are available only for a property that does not meet the minimum housing codes prior to rehabilitation.

Applicant eligibility for a grant will be determined by the applicant’s adjusted income and net worth.  Grants will not be more than $10,000.00, with the ability to borrow additional money up to $10,000.00 at an interest rate of 3%.  In exchange for financial assistance, the property owner agrees to rehabilitating the property up to current housing standards.  The grant will be forgiven in five years.  If the property is sold, the balance of the grant will be prorated accordingly, however, the loan becomes due immediately.  The grant will be forgiven in five years.  All approved rehabilitation projects will be awarded to licensed contractors using the competitive bid process.

Issues such as fair housing protection also fall under the domain of the department.  For more information about these concerns or any other housing question, stop by the Housing Division office, located in room 102 of the City-County Complex, between 8:30am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

The City of Florence’s Community Development Division sponsors a broad-based grant program designed to rebuild and revitalize depressed areas of the City.  The department grants funds for a wide variety of activities that can take place in community areas targeted as needing special assistance and attention.  These areas include North, East, and West Florence.

Applications for grants are accepted up until March of each year.  City Council then makes decisions based on the strength of the proposal, the expected impact the project will have on the community, and the amount of money available for the program.  Grants are awarded by July of each year.  For more information, or to apply for a grant, stop by the Community Development Office, located in room 102 of the City-County Complex, between 8:30am and 5:30pm Monday through Friday, or call them at (843) 665-3175.

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS

The homeowners of some areas of the city have formed neighborhood associations for the purpose of finding solutions to common concerns, and to pool their resources to make their neighborhoods a better place to live.  Neighborhood associations provide individual citizens a collective voice with which to discuss issues relating to government agencies and private businesses which impact their specific community.

The City of Florence’s Housing Division produces a list to all neighborhood associations in the City limits.  This list is designed to increase awareness by various entities of the existence of these groups and to encourage communication between neighborhood associations.  It also serves as a reference to citizens looking to find out more about the neighborhood association for their area.  The guide is also useful for residents looking to form a neighborhood association of their own.  For more information about your neighborhood association, or to receive a copy of the list, stop by the Housing Division Office, located in room 102 of the City-County Complex, between 8:30am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday, or call them at (843) 665-3175

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