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April 2023 E-Newsletter News You Can Use

April News

April - Stress Awareness Month
 
take note of your stress social media florence housing
  • Identify the source of your stress: Take note of what's causing your stress, whether it's work-related, family, health, or personal issues. Identifying the root cause can help you take the necessary steps to address it.
  • Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness involves being present in the moment, without judgment. It helps you reduce stress by shifting your focus away from worries about the future or regrets about the past. You can practice mindfulness through meditation, deep breathing, or simply taking a few minutes to focus on your senses.
  • Exercise regularly: Exercise is a great stress reliever as it releases endorphins, which are natural mood enhancers. It also helps to reduce tension and clear your mind.
  • Learn more about stress and how to manage it at www.stress.org. 
 
Be sure to follow us on Facebook for more tips and resources.

Jobs in the Area

  • 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/. 
 
Find additional job listings by visiting the SC Job Works or Indeed website.
 
Target Carseat Trade-In Event
 
From April 16-29, 2023, guests will have the opportunity to recycle an old, expired or damaged car seat and redeem a coupon on their Target app or Target.com/circle for 20% off one car seat, stroller or select baby gear. The coupon can be redeemed through May 13, 2023.
 
"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 County
 
This 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.
Beginner LapTop Training
 
This training is for Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Hampton, Orangeburg, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Dillon and Williamsburg County adult residents 40 years or older with little to no knowledge of laptops, meet the income requirements, or receive at least one of the following benefits:
 
-SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance
 
Only one adult per household can participate. To learn more contact Palmetto Care Connections at 803-450-1027.  A PCC team member will conduct a full screening over the phone to determine program eligibillity.
 
Training Requirements:
  • Participants are required to attend 5 hours of in-person training.  The training is divided into 2 days with 2.5 hours of training each day.
Training Benefits:
  • Participants will receive a certification upon completion of the training.
  • Participants will receive a free laptop and assistance with affordable internet solutions.
Palmetto Care Connections Labtop training program flyer
Free Covid At-Home Tests
 
The 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.

Horatio Alger CTE Scholarship

Award: $2,500

Up to $2,500 for students headed into a Certification or Technical Program.  The Horatio Alger Association invites students who have faced and overcome great obstacles to apply for the Horatio Alger CTE Scholarship. The Association will award 500 students up to $2,500 to pursue a career certification or technical education at an accredited non-profit post-secondary institution in the United States. Students must complete the application by Thursday, June 15.

 

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 NEW APPLICATION DATES!!

Public Housing Program

The Housing Authority of Cheraw will be accepting applications "ONCE" a month. Please note the following updates:

Location: Dizzy Gillespie Community Room
              1345 Dizzy Gillespie Drive
              Cheraw, South Caroling 29520

Date: The following Tuesdays of Every Month

    • April 11th
    • May 9th - CANCELLED
    • June 13th
    • July 11th
    • August 15th
    • September 12th
    • October 17th
    • November 14th

Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Sign-in by 12:15 AM)

Applications will be processed by The Housing Authority of Florence at 2640 W. Palmetto Street, Florence, SC 29501. To ensure prompt processing please go by the administrative office that is located at 1343 Dizzy Gillespie Drive, Cheraw, SC 29520 or our website at www.hafsc.org, and pick up/review an informational sheet regarding what is needed on this date

If you should have any questions, please free to contact our Applications & Admissions Department at (843) 669-4163 extension 3340 or our Clio office at (843) 586-2674 Monday - Thursday from 8:00AM - 5:00PM.

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2023 NEW APPLICATION DATES!!
Public Housing Program
 
The Housing & Community Redevelopment Authority of Marlboro County will be accepting applications "ONCE" a month. Please note the following updates:
 
Location: Clio Administrative Office
100 Woods Avenue
Clio, South Carolina 29525
 
Date: The following Thursdays of Every Month
 
  • April 13th
  • May 11th - CANCELLED
  • June 15th
  • July 13th
  • August 17th
  • September 14th
  • October 19th
  • November 16th
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Sign-in by 11:15 AM)
 
Applications will be processed by The Housing Authority of Florence at 2640 W. Palmetto Street, Florence, SC 29501. To ensure prompt processing, please go by the administrative office that is located at 100 Woods Avenue Clio, SC 29525, or our website at www.hafsc.org, and pick up/review an informational sheet regarding what is needed on this date.
 
If you have any questions, please contact our Applications & Admissions Department at (843) 669-4163 extension 3340 or our Clio office at (843) 586-2674 Monday - Thursday from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
 
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2023 NEW APPLICATION DATES!!
Public Housing Program
 
Eastcrest Apartments (McColl) will be accepting applications "ONCE" a month. Please note the following updates:
 
Location: McColl Administrative Office
204-35 Gilchrist Avenue
McColl, South Carolina 29570
 
Date: The following Thursdays of Every Month
  • April 13th
  • May 11th - CANCELLED
  • June 15th
  • July 13th
  • August 17th
  • September 14th
  • October 19th
  • November 16th
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Sign-in by 2:15 PM)
 
Applications will be processed by The Housing Authority of Florence at 2640 W. Palmetto Street, Florence, SC 29501. To ensure prompt processing, please go by the administrative office that is located at 204-35 Gilchrist Avenue, McColl, SC 29570, or our website at www.hafsc.org, and pick up/review an informational sheet regarding what is needed on this date
 
If you have any questions, please contact our Applications & Admissions Department at (843) 669-4163 extension 3340 or our office at (843) 523-5449 Monday - Thursday from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

"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.

Spring Cleaning Tips

spring cleaning tip show your appliances some love florence

  • Give your kitchen appliances some love! Clean out the fridge and freezer, wipe down the oven and stove, and descale your coffee maker. You'll be amazed at how much better they'll perform after a good cleaning.
  • Take care of your floors. Vacuum and sweep regularly, and give them a deep clean with a steam mop or professional cleaning. Your floors will thank you!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook for more tips and resources.

Board Meetings

The Housing Authority of Florence Board Meetings are live-streamed as they are happening and archived afterward on their YouTube channel. 

This opportunity to view and listen to board meetings will further open our agency to the community. To access the YouTube channel, go to the Housing Authority of Florence YouTube Channel.  Archived meetings can also be found on our website at https://www.hafsc.org/upages.php?id=190. 

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:

Tax Assistance

The VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) offers free tax help for low to moderate-income ($60,000) taxpayers who cannot prepare their own tax returns. This includes both the preparation of the return plus e-filing of both the federal and state income tax returns.

Get your taxes done for FREE!

MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND THURSDAY
At Church Hill ROC
10:30 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.

SATURDAY DATES:
Saturday, April 8, 2023
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Dizzy Gillespie Apartment Complex
1343 Dizzy Gillespie Drive
Cheraw, S.C. 29520

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL
Hazel L.M. Mouzon at 843-669-4163 ext. 2008 or 843.229.6093

Tax Tips
  • Gather all necessary forms ahead of tax prep time. The better organized your records are, the less time it will take a preparer to process your taxes, which translates into lower fees for their service.
  • To avoid penalties and interest, file on time. (Tax Deadline: April 18) Even if you can't pay in full, the penalties are much higher for late filing than for late payment. If you can't file on time, see your local IRS guidelines to apply for an extension.

Upcoming Events

  • View our website calendar for upcoming Resident Meetings to be in the know about what is happening in your community.
  • The City Center Farmers Market will host a Farm to School takeover during their Saturday market on April 29th.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook for more resident news and community resources.