Guide to Roof Repair Grants in South Carolina

South Carolina homeowners, particularly those in coastal and rural areas, have access to several grant programs designed to assist with roof repairs and retrofitting to enhance resilience against hurricanes and severe weather.

Sydney Blunt

• 3 min read
Guide to Roof Repair Grants in South Carolina
Photo by Danny De Vylder / Unsplash
a man with a hammer on top of a roof
Photo by Zohair Mirza / Unsplash

1. SC Safe Home Mitigation Grant Program

Administered by the South Carolina Department of Insurance, the SC Safe Home program offers grants to coastal homeowners for retrofitting their homes to withstand high winds and hurricanes.

Grant Amounts:

Resilient Mitigation Award: Up to $7,500 for non-matching grants; $6,000 for matching grants.

Sustainable Mitigation Award: Up to $5,000 for non-matching grants; $4,000 for matching grants.

Hurricane Shuttering and Protective Barrier Systems Award: Up to $3,000 for both matching and non-matching grants.

Eligible Improvements: Roof retrofits, including roof-to-wall connectors, secondary water barriers, and roof deck attachment.

Eligibility Criteria:

    • Home must be owner-occupied and located in a coastal county.
    • Applicants' income must be at or below the county's area median income.
    • Funds cannot be used for general home repairs or new construction.

Application Process: Applications are accepted twice a year, typically in July and January.

The most recent round opened on July 1, 2025, with $1.4 million in funding available. (SC Daily Gazette)

2. USDA Section 504 Home Repair Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers the Section 504 Home Repair Program to assist very-low-income homeowners in rural areas with necessary repairs.

  • Grant Amount:
    • Up to $10,000 for homeowners aged 62 or older.
    • Grants can be combined with loans for a total of up to $50,000 in assistance.
  • Loan Terms:
    • Loans up to $40,000 with a 1% fixed interest rate.
    • Repayment term of 20 years.
  • Eligibility Criteria:
    • Home must be owner-occupied and located in a rural area.
    • Applicants must be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere.
    • For grants, applicants must be age 62 or older.
  • Usage: Funds can be used to repair, improve, or modernize homes, or to remove health and safety hazards.

For more details and to apply, visit the USDA Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants.

3. South Carolina Housing Trust Fund (HTF)

The HTF provides financial assistance for disaster-related home repairs.

  • Grant Amount:
    • Up to $30,000 per home for disaster-related repairs.
  • Eligibility Criteria:
    • Homeowners must have an income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
    • Home must be owner-occupied.
  • Usage: Funds can be used for essential repairs to correct life, health, and safety issues, including roof repairs.

For more information, visit the South Carolina Housing Trust Fund.

4. Local and County-Level Programs

Various counties and municipalities in South Carolina offer localized home repair assistance programs, often funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) or HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

  • Examples:
    • Charleston: Offers Substantial Rehabilitation and Roof Replacement programs for low-income homeowners.
    • Greenville County: Provides home repair grants for seniors, disabled, and low-income families for roofing and other essential repairs.
    • Spartanburg County: Assists low to moderate-income households with roofing system repairs or replacements.

For more details, check with your local county or city government websites.

5. Mobile Home Roof Repair Pilot Program (Sumter)

The City of Sumter has introduced a pilot program to assist with roof repairs for mobile homes.

  • Grant Amount:
    • Up to $100,000 allocated for the pilot program.
  • Eligibility Criteria:
    • Home must be a mobile home aged 20 years or older.
    • Home must be owner-occupied and not eligible for other community development programs.
  • Application: Applications are available through the City of Sumter's Community Development Office.

For more information, visit the City of Sumter Mobile Home Roof Repair Pilot Program.

Conclusion

South Carolina offers a range of grant programs to assist homeowners with roof repairs and retrofitting, aiming to enhance the resilience of homes against hurricanes and severe weather. Eligibility criteria vary, so it's essential to review each program's requirements and consult with the respective administering agencies for guidance.

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