Richland County, South Carolina

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One-Call Response Center 24 Hours (803) 929-6000

Operation One Touch

We're currently not accepting new applications at this time. This program is closed

Goal

The purpose of the Operation One Touch Program is to provide assistance to low-to-moderate income residents for household repairs to their home.

Source of Funds

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): The funding source for the Minor Repair Program is the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Richland County receives funds from this program on an annual basis to implement housing and community development activities in Richland County.

Loan Amount

The program will provide up to $23,000 in CDBG funds per home for eligible repairs. Assistance will be provided in the form of a deferred forgivable loan.

No repayment is required. However, applicants must sign a written affidavit indicating that they will occupy the home as their primary residence for five (5) years after assistance is granted through the program.

Eligible Applicants

Must be qualified as a household of low to moderate income (Richland County must use HUD’s income limits which defines low to moderate income as 80% of the area median income with adjustments for household size. Annual income is subject to verification using the Part 5 Annual Income definition. The home must be their primary place of residence for at least two year.

A. Ownership

Applicants must be listed on the Deed as the property owner and have resided in the home as their primary residences for a minimum of 2 years prior to submitting an application. The County tax record(s) will be the primary source of information to determine ownership.

B. Occupancy

To qualify for assistance, the applicant must have occupied the home as their primary residence for at least two years at the time of application. The applicant must also sign an affidavit indicating that they intend to occupy the home as their primary residence for five (5) years after assistance is granted through the Program.

C. Property Taxes

Applicants who owe delinquent property taxes to the County on any property are ineligible for program assistance. All delinquent property taxes must be paid prior to receiving assistance.

D. Maximum Income

The GROSS annual income for ALL household members cannot exceed the applicable income shown in the following chart:

2024 MAXIMUM INCOME CHART
Household Size	Maximum Income (80% of the Area Median)
1	$48,650
2	$55,600
3	$62,550
4	$69,500
5	$75,100
6	$80,650
7	$86,200
8	$91,750

Source: U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. These income figures are subject to change annually.

Application Checklist

Items that are marked with an asterisk, are forms you will receive from our office

Copy of Deed
Copy of Mortgage Statement
Hazard Insurance Policy
Signed Federal Funds Notice*
Race & Ethnic Data Reporting Form*
Certification of No Income* (Only if you are not working)
Agreement of Intent to Participate*
Copy of Most Recent Tax Return or letter
Proof of Residence (Utility Bill)
Driver’s License or Federal/State Issued ID*
Most Recent 3 months of Bank Statements
Most Recent 2 months of Check Stubs (if you receive social security or retirement; you need to turn in the statement that shows how much you receive each month. NOT the 1099 form)
Enrollment Verification (for students in college only)
Termite Inspection Report
Signed Waiver of Personal Information*

Eligible Properties

A. Location

To qualify for grant assistance, the housing unit must be located within unincorporated Richland County.

B. Nature and Extent of Minor Repairs

To assess eligibility for the program, an inspection of all housing units will be conducted. This includes evaluating the feasibility of repairs within the program's scope, considering factors such as repair type and total cost. Homeowners will be notified if their unit does not meet the criteria for assistance based on the inspection results.

C. Types of Structures

Structures eligible for this program are single‐family detached.

D. Maximum Number of Grants Per Property

A property may only receive one grant award from this program in a ten‐year period, with no more than two grant awards total per property.

E. Flood Insurance

If the property lies in the one‐hundred-year floodplain zone, flood insurance is required. Documentation of flood insurance must be provided with the application for assistance.

Eligible Repairs

Water heaters	Electrical
Roof	Windows
Floors	HVAC
Accessibility Improvements:
• ADA Ramps • Grab Bars • Handrails • Banisters

Ineligible

Mobile Homes
Townhomes
Duplex Homes
Estate Properties
Homes in Bankruptcy or Deferment
Condominium

Ineligible repairs include, but are not limited to: work on other buildings on the property not considered the primary residence (i.e. detached garage, sheds, and barns) or the repair or replacement of non‐essential items (hot tubs, swimming pools, paint, etc.).

Loan Description

80% of area median income or below (see attached HUD Income Limits listed above)

First Come, First Served basis
- Term: 5 Years
- Interest Rate: 0%
- Repayment: Deferred Forgivable Loan. This type of loan is interest-free and requires no repayment as long as there is no change in ownership or occupancy for a period of five (5) years. If there is a change in the ownership or occupancy of the property a pro-rata (illustrated below) portion of the loan is due in full. (Based on the rate of 1/24^th)

CDBG OCCUPANCY TIME LIMIT REPAYMENT AMOUNT OF LOAN

1 Year or Less	100%
2 Years	80%
3 Years	60%
4 Years	40%
5 Years	20%
5 Years or more	0%

****We're currently not accepting new applications at this time.

A hardcopy application can be picked up at our office at 2020 Hampton Street 3rd Floor Suite 3058 Columbia, SC 29204 between 9 am and 4 pm, or it can be mailed to you. Please leave a detailed voicemail with your name, the physical address of the property, and your phone number.

Click here to view a copy of the Operation One Touch Procedures & Policies.