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May 2023 E-Newsletter News You Can Use

May News

Being a mother or a mother figure is a challenging and rewarding job that comes with many ups and downs. But you handle it all with grace and strength, and for that, we are grateful. Your dedication to your family and community is an inspiration to us all.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mothers Day graphic with baby breath flowers

May - Mental Health Awareness Month
 
mental health awareness month
  • May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Let's break the silence around mental health and start talking openly and honestly about our struggles. Remember, there is help available, and recovery is possible.
  • SAMHSA's National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.  To learn more, please visit www.samhsa.gov. 
May - Older Americans Month
 
older americans month scam prevention

A study by TrueLink Financial found that seniors lose an estimated $36.5 billion annually to elder financial abuse, which includes scams.

  • Medicare/Healthcare scams: Scammers may call or email claiming to be from Medicare or another healthcare provider, requesting personal information or claiming there is an issue with the senior's account.
  • Tech support scams: Scammers may call or email claiming to be from a well-known tech company, stating that there is an issue with the senior's computer and offering to help fix it for a fee.
  • Grandparent scams: Scammers may call claiming to be a grandchild in trouble, needing money for bail, medical bills, or other emergencies.

To prevent these scams, never give remote access to your computer to someone you do not know, and do not give out personal information over the phone or email.

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.
GED By 2023
 
GED by 2023 is a process where tuition, fees, and course-related material costs for credit and non-credit/continuing education training programs at any SC Technical College are covered.  Allowable childcare and transportation expenses for participating students can also be covered.
 
How to become eligible:
  • Enroll in an approved Adult Education Program through the South Carolina Department of Education and complete a high school diploma, GED, or a Skills Upgrade class between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2024, or
  • Complete two sections of the GED as a part of an integrated Education and Training program between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2024.
"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

    • 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
 
  • 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
  • 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.

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:

Upcoming Events

  • View our website calendar for upcoming Resident Meetings to be in the know about what is happening in your community.

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