Charleston Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program
First mortgage · New construction · Income limits
Single Family
See details Jul 2026
Down payment assistance · South Carolina
Buying a home in Charleston County, SC
2 county-wide programs, 1 city with their own, plus 11 statewide and 62 nationwide.Charleston has 2 programs that cover the whole county and 1 city with a program of their own. On top of those, 11 statewide and 62 nationwide programs are open here. Start with your city or ZIP to see which apply to the home you want.
Free · No credit pull · No SSN
Anywhere in CharlestonAnywhere in Charleston County
2 programs for every Charleston address2 programs that cover every Charleston address
All 2 are for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.These are run for the whole county, so a home in Charleston, North Charleston or Mount Pleasant can use them. All 2 are for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.
Sea Island Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program
First mortgage · New construction · Income limits
Single Family
See details Jul 2026
Only inside city limits
1 city with their own program1 Charleston city with their own program
For a home inside that city, on top of the county-wide 2.A city program is for a home inside that city. Buying there? It sits on top of the 2 county-wide programs above.
The Charleston marketThe Charleston housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat kinds of homes are here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Charleston
- 58% single-familysingle-family
- 6.9% townhousetownhouse
- 6.8% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 23.3% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 4.9% mobile & othermobile home & other
About condos. None of the 3 county or city programs here list condos as eligible.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Charleston’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
34.5%
of Charleston homes were built before 1980. Pre-1978 homes come with a federal lead-paint disclosure.of homes were built before 1980. A home built before 1978 comes with a federal lead-paint disclosure, and some programs require an inspection.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25034.
$117,500
HUD area median income, 4 people (FY2026)HUD area median income, Charleston County, 4-person household (FY2026)
$88,494
Median household income (ACS 2024 5-year)Median household income in Charleston (Census ACS 2024 5-year)
63.9%
of occupied homes are owner-occupied (South Carolina: 71.9%)
The two income figures measure different things. HUD’s area median income is the one programs use. 12 of the 76 programs here set their income limit as a share of Charleston County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Charleston County
Free help in CharlestonFree help in Charleston
4 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in the county4 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies with an office in Charleston County
3 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.All 3 local programs here ask for a homebuyer class. A HUD-approved counselor teaches it and can walk you through your options. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.
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Counted from HUD’s list of approved agencies: active offices whose ZIP code is in Charleston County.
16 cities and placesA to Z
All cities in Charleston CountyAll 16 cities and places in Charleston County
has a program of its own
Charleston questions
Can I use a county program anywhere in Charleston?
The 2 county-wide programs cover homes anywhere in the county. City programs, like Charleston’s, are only for homes inside that city’s limits. Each agency sets its own rules, so confirm on the program’s official site.
Can I combine a county program with a city program?
Sometimes. Combining ("stacking") programs is set by each administering agency, and some do not allow a second program on the same home. Each program’s page links to the agency that can say.
What is the area median income in Charleston County?
HUD publishes it once a year; the 2026 four-person figure is shown above. Programs set their limits as a share of it, adjusted for household size, and the published limits page lists each one.
Do Charleston programs accept condos?
None of the 3 county or city programs here list condos as eligible. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
Where can I take a homebuyer class in Charleston?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 4 agencies have an office in Charleston County. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
Keep exploring
Sources
Programs: Hey Prescott catalog of 2,000+ programs, each verified with its agency (July–August 2026). Market: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024), tables B01003, B25077, B25003, B25024, B25034, B25035, B19013. Income: HUD FY2026 income limits. Counselors: HUD list of approved housing counseling agencies. Hey Prescott is not a lender.