Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program
Down-payment assistance · New construction · Income limits
Single Family
See details Jul 2026
Down payment assistance · South Carolina
Buying a home in Richland County, SC
2 county-wide programs, 1 city with their own, plus 11 statewide and 62 nationwide.Richland 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 RichlandAnywhere in Richland County
2 programs for every Richland address2 programs that cover every Richland 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 Columbia, Dentsville or Forest Acres can use them. All 2 are for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.
Richland County Home Ownership Assistance
Forgivable loan · Forgiven over 5 yrs · Income limit 80% of AMI
Single-family detached dwelling located in unincorporated Richland County, built after 1978.
See details Jun 2026
AMI is HUD’s area median income for Richland, adjusted for household size. Each program publishes its own dollar limits.
Only inside city limits
1 city with their own program1 Richland 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 Richland marketThe Richland housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat kinds of homes are here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Richland
- 63.7% single-familysingle-family
- 3.7% townhousetownhouse
- 6.6% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 21.4% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 4.7% 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 Richland’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
37.7%
of Richland 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.
$92,400
HUD area median income, 4 people (FY2026)HUD area median income, Richland County, 4-person household (FY2026)
$63,784
Median household income (ACS 2024 5-year)Median household income in Richland (Census ACS 2024 5-year)
60.3%
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. 13 of the 76 programs here set their income limit as a share of Richland County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Richland County
Free help in RichlandFree help in Richland
1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in the county1 HUD-approved housing counseling agency with an office in Richland 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 Richland County.
8 cities and placesA to Z
All cities in Richland CountyAll 8 cities and places in Richland County
has a program of its own
Richland questions
Can I use a county program anywhere in Richland?
The 2 county-wide programs cover homes anywhere in the county. City programs, like Columbia’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 Richland 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 Richland 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 Richland?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 1 agency has an office in Richland 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 (June–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.