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January 2023 E-Newsletter News You Can Use
January News
December Recap
2nd Annual Holly Jolly Trolley
We had the pleasure of partnering with First Bank, Chick-fil-A West Florence, and PDRTA to host the 2nd Annual Holly Jolly Trolley. Visit the PDRTA Facebook page to view more pictures from the event.January News
You are reliable, hard-working, responsible, and trustworthy. Happy 6th Work Anniversary, Mrs. Clamentine Elmore! Thank you for your dedication and leadership.The Housing Authority of Florence wants to express sincere gratitude to Councilman J. Lawrence Smith, II, for his dedication, grace, and seriousness while serving these last two years on our Board of Commissioners.
- The Housing Authority of Florence has created an aggressive plan to rejuvenate the housing scene in Florence County by developing and reorganizing all of its properties by 2033. Learn more about this plan at WPDE ABC 15.
Jobs in the Area
- Hiring CNAs, Home Health Aides at True to You In-Home Patient Services. Register for the virtual hiring event here: https://app.brazenconnect.com/a/scdew-pee-dee/e/g6kxn
- The State of South Carolina offers a range of unique career opportunities. To learn more about these and other positions with the State of SC Government, visit their career website at https://careers.sc.gov/.
SNAP Program Ending
The South Carolina Department of Social Services will end the federally-approved Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments to all South Carolina households beginning January 31, 2023.
Starting February 1, 2023, all SNAP households will go back to receiving their regular monthly benefit amount.
"Healthy Bucks" Program
The "Healthy Bucks" program allows SNAP recipients to obtain additional fresh fruits and vegetables when they use their SNAP benefits to purchase fresh produce at participating farmer's markets. SNAP recipients who purchase at least $5 with their SNAP EBT card at participating locations receive $15 in Healthy Bucks tokens to purchase additional fresh fruits and vegetables. Find out more at: https://dss.sc.gov/.../food-and-nutrition.../healthy-bucks/.
Food Pantries in Every CountyThis holiday season, we are aware that food insecurity is a real issue for many families in our state. We've teamed with Clemson University to create a statewide map showing food pantries in every county.View the map at https://bit.ly/3giH4xl.This information was made available by the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control (SC DHEC).Have you heard of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communication Commission (FCC) benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare, and more.The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.Learn more by visiting the Affordable Connectivity Program website at affordableconnectivity.gov.Free Covid At-Home TestsThe White House has restarted its partnership with the U.S. Postal Service to provide home tests for every household in the nation. Those interested can visit covid.gov/tests and order four free at-home tests that will be mailed to their home.In addition to the national effort, South Carolinians can visit their local public health department and pick up free COVID-19 tests. These locations have plenty of home tests that are easy to pick up.SERGEANT TERRENCE CARRAWAY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
(Funded by the Florence Police Fund & Terrence F. Carraway Foundation)Award: $1,000
The Sergeant Terrence Carraway Memorial Scholarship was established in January 2019 to honor the life of Sergeant Terrence Carraway (E.O.W. 10/03/2018) and to continue his passion for the advancement of youth in the Florence and Darlington communities. This scholarship is a need-based fund, awarded annually to two recipients from Florence County School District High Schools and two recipients from Darlington County School District High Schools. Scholarship awards are made payable to the recipient's educational institution.
The City of Florence Website to Apply
Landlords Needed in the Florence & Surrounding Areas!
We are looking for vacant properties to provide rental opportunities to individuals and families participating in our Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.Participating Landlords receive Guaranteed Rent.To learn more or express interest, please get in touch with Sheena Falletti at 843.669.4163.2023 PRE-APPLICATION DATES!!Housing Choice Voucher ProgramThe Housing Authority of Cheraw will be accepting Pre-Applications for the Housing Choice Vouchers/Section 8 Waiting List. Please note the following dates and location:
- Location: Dizzy Gillespie Community Room
1345 Dizzy Gillespie Drive
Cheraw, South Carolina 29520
"Extension of Time and Required Disclosures for Notification of Nonpayment of Rent"
Notice PIH 2021-29 Supplemental Guidance to the Interim Final Rule "Extension of Time and Required Disclosures for Notification of Nonpayment of Rent"
PHAs administering a public housing program and owners of project-based rental assistance properties must provide no less than 30 days advanced notification of lease termination due to nonpayment of rent. Further, the rule also requires that within that notification, PHAs and owners must provide information to affected tenants as necessary to support tenants in securing such available funding.
The public housing program only, the rule requires PHAs to inform all public housing tenants that the extended timeframe for notification of lease termination due to nonpayment of rent is in effect, and that families will be provided information on available funding in that 30-day notification.
Material noncompliance with the terms of the lease. An owner must provide a tenant with a notice of proposed termination that complies with timeframes set forth in state and local law. The notice must advise the tenant that the tenant has 10 days within which to discuss the proposed termination with the landlord, beginning on the earlier of the date the notice was hand-delivered to the tenant's dwelling unit or the day after the notice is mailed. If the tenant requests such a meeting, the lease specifies that the landlord agrees to discuss the proposed termination with the tenant and advise the tenant of his/her right to defend the action in court.
Community Reminders
- Rent is due on or before the 1st of every month.
- The Housing Authority is required by HUD regulations to inspect the units to ensure they are "Decent, Safe, and Sanitary." Standard procedure is: Pictures will be taken during Interior and/or Exterior inspections for documentation purposes of the resident's housekeeping.
- Resident agrees and acknowledges that the premises to be occupied by Resident and members of Resident's household, as well as certain outside areas, have been designated as smoke-free. Resident and members of Resident's household shall not smoke anywhere in the unit rented by Resident, in the building where the Resident's dwelling is located, in any of the common areas inside the building, or in any outside areas closer than 25 feet of the building(s) including sidewalks, entryways, porches, balconies, patios, and playgrounds. Nor shall the Resident permit any guests or visitors to do so.
- No parking on the grass or riding through the complex on the grass. A violation fee will be applied (see Management Schedule of Charges).
- The Resident shall assure that neither the Resident nor any persons other than those listed above and minor children which are born into the household during this tenancy shall reside in the dwelling unit for more than fourteen (14) days each year without obtaining the prior written approval of the Landlord. Management may place guests on no-trespass if they have concerns that the tenant may be in violation of this policy.
Coming Soon
The following items are activities and/or proposed short-term and long-term goals of the Housing Authority of Florence and Housing Authority of Cheraw to further the MTW statutory objectives during this Fiscal Year:
- Housing Authority of Cheraw Moving To Work (MTW) Supplement Narrative
- Housing Authority of Florence Moving To Work (MTW) Supplement Narrative
Tax Returns
Have you heard? The IRS is now accepting tax returns. Check out all of the free resources available to you 24/7 on IRS.gov. Remember, electronically filing with direct deposit is the best way to avoid delays and receive your IRS refunds quickly this year. Get started now at www.irs.gov.
New Year Resolutions
- Pause on purpose daily
- Focus on why you're eating
- Choose a "word of the year"
- Focus on your financial health
- Let go of toxic people in your life
- Forgive yourself
Read the article on Today.com entitled 35 New Year's resolutions you can actually stick to in 2023.
Happy New Year!
What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven't even happened yet." -Anne Frank
Happy New Year from the Housing Authorities of Florence, Cheraw, and Marlboro County!
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