Santee-Lynches is partnering with area counties to help qualifying renters with financial assistance

People living in Sumter, Clarendon, Lee or Kershaw counties may be eligible for rental assistance.

These county governments are partnering with Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments to help meet the needs of locals in financial crisis.

The Santee-Lynches Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program is for people living in one of these four counties who are low to moderate income and meet one of the following qualifications:

- 18 years or older;

- Married;

- A military veteran;

- Have at least one dependent.

All applicants must have a one-year lease because month to month is not accepted.

The application process, according to the Santee-Lynches website, takes at least 30 to 45 days and includes completion of the online application and agreement, verification of all income sources, landlord involvement and more.

Payments are made via check directly to the landlord for one year.

To find more information and apply, visit www.santeelynchescog.org/TBRA.

Shekia Harvin with the program can be reached at (803) 774-1311 or sharvin@slcog.org.