Beginning in June, SC Housing will increase the income eligibility limits for its Homebuyer Bond Program and Mortgage Credit Certificate Program, expanding access to state homebuying assistance.
The annual updates reflect prevailing real estate market conditions and realign with the latest area median income data released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The Homebuyer Bond Program provides eligible buyers with affordable, fixed-rate mortgage loans alongside forgivable down payment assistance to offset closing costs. The new adjustments will raise household income limits from last year’s range of $90,000–$157,000 up to a new bracket of $95,000–$164,000, varying by county and household size.
The program categorizes applicants by household size and divides South Carolina counties into targeted and non-targeted areas:
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Non-Targeted Counties: Applicants must be first-time homebuyers or individuals who have not owned a primary residence within the past three years (York and Lancaster fall into this category).
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Targeted Counties: The first-time homebuyer restriction is waived for any applicant meeting the basic program criteria.
To date, SC Housing’s first-time buyer initiatives have supported more than 2,600 families, delivering over $673 million in mortgage and down payment support. Prospective applicants can locate approved regional lenders by visiting the SC Housing website.
