19-03-2025
New grant to help Aiken homeowners with Hurricane Helene repairs
AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) — Help is on the way for Aiken homeowners struggling with home repairs after Hurricane Helene.
'We just thankful that no lives we're lost,' Carol Scurry said. Clement and Carol Scurry say they're thankful to be alive after a hurricane left them trapped. Trees crashed into their home, blocking the door and crushing their truck.
'I woke up my husband, and I told him I was hearing lots of loud winds and a lot of rumbling going on. He was saying it was just a bad storm, and I said, 'No, it was more than that,' she recalled.
Storm damage left holes in their roof, cracks in the walls, broken light fixture part of their porch collapsed, and windows broken. 'We couldn't afford to pay for it,' Clement Scurry added, 'We had to struggle until, you know, doing a little bit here and there, but that's just the way it is because both my wife and I are retired.'
'We were freshly awarded, a little over $800,000, 'Director of Neighborhood Services Sabina Craig said. 'As a matter of fact, it was, $848,877, of award to assist low income families with repairs to their homes that was affected by Hurricane Helene.' Low income is 80% or less of the median income. For a single person in Aiken, that's $48,000 or less a year.
The South Carolina State Housing Trust Fund offers up to $30,000 for home repairs, including roofs, plumbing, and HVAC. It's first come, first served. 'They have to live within the city limits of Aiken and I will take their information down and put them on the waiting list,' she added. There are fewer than 20 on the waiting list, and the funding can help 50 or more.
The process starts with an inspection, then they request the necessary documents from the homeowners. 'Then I have a group of contractors that will bid on the work to be done. So that's usually about a two week to three week, process. And hopefully homes will be fixed in less than a month,' she shared.
If demand exceeds the budget, additional HUD funds are available. 'The only difference between the South Carolina State Housing Trust Fund and our emergency repair funds is that with the South Carolina Trust Fund, the homeowner does not have to have homeowner's insurance,' Craig shared. 'However, with the emergency repair program, they do have to have homeowner's insurance.'
For those outside the city limits, other programs are available. Homeowners can reach out to Sabina Craig directly for more details.
If you're a homeowner in need, the Neighborhood Services Department is taking calls now at (803) 642-7606.
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