Press Release provided by SC Housing

COLUMBIA, SC- SC Housing is turning homeownership dreams into reality for South Carolina’s public service heroes through the 2025 Palmetto Heroes Program, which provides $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance alongside low, fixed-rate mortgage loans.

The program supports those who play a vital role in their communities, including teachers, nurses, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, veterans, active-duty military, and National Guard members.

Eligible participants can access financing through SC Housing’s First-time Homebuyer Program, benefiting from a stable, low-interest rate mortgage. Since funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, buyers must have an executed sales contract to secure assistance. Loan rates for the program will be announced on Monday, March 24.

SC Housing’s executive director, Richard Hutto, emphasizes the lasting impact of homeownership.

“For any of our community heroes who have been waiting for rates to come down, the wait is over,” Hutto said. “We hope this allows more of the people we rely on every day to become homeowners in the communities where they work.”

The 30-year mortgage loans are available through SC Housing’s network of more than 100 lenders statewide and are subject to first-time homebuyer and income qualifications. 

For more details on Palmetto Heroes, visit schousing.sc.gov or contact SC Housing at 803.896.2211.

Historically, the Palmetto Heroes Program has been one of SC Housing’s most in-demand programs, with last year’s version exhausting the bulk of its funding allocation – $50 million – less than a month after the program’s launch. 

For those who do not qualify for the Heroes program, SC Housing offers other homebuyer programs, with or without down payment assistance and low, fixed-rate loans. Funding for Heroes is limited but SC Housing’s homebuyer programs are available statewide all year long.