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Financial Help for Rent in Greenville County SC
Greenville County South Carolina has one of the more active networks of rental assistance in South Carolina, anchored by United Ministries in the city, Greer Relief in the northeast corridor, and several faith-based organizations spread across the county. Resources range from one-time emergency grants for back rent to Section 8 vouchers, free legal aid, and programs that help pay a deposit. Unlike more rural counties, Greenville’s rent payment assistance network listed below is highly centralized, with most emergency aid flowing through those few major hubs including the SHARE community action agency.
Primary Entry Points for Emergency Rent Relief
If you are facing an immediate eviction notice, these agencies handle the largest volume of federal and state grant funding for the Greenville metro area.
- United Way of Greenville County (2-1-1): In Greenville, 2-1-1 is more than a directory; it is the mandatory starting point for many housing programs. Most local churches will not provide aid until you have a referral from the United Way. Phone: Dial 2-1-1 or text “HELP” to 211-211. Website: https://www.unitedwaygc.org/get-help/.
- SHARE (Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources): As the designated Community Action Agency, SHARE provides the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and Homeless Prevention funds. They focus on moving families from "crisis to stability" through rent and utility aid. Address: 254 S Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville, SC 29607. Phone: 864-269-0700
- United Ministries: Located in the heart of Greenville, this is the primary "crisis center" for the city. They provide emergency rent payment assistance combined with employment and education resources to prevent long-term homelessness. Address: 606 Pendleton Street, Greenville, SC 29601. Phone: 864-232-6463
- Greenville County Redevelopment Authority: Coordinates the homeless prevention program, providing rent assistance, credit counseling, and money for moving expenses or security deposits. Address: 301 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601. Phone: 864-242-9801.
- Piedmont Community Action: This agency serves the working poor and unemployed in Greenville. They may offer immediate, same-day rent assistance and loan to help pay rent (which come with risks). Phone: 864-585-8183.
Pro-Tip for Greenville County Renters
- The United Way Referral: Most small churches in Greenville SC, such as St. Mary’s or New Jerusalem, will ask you for a "referral number" from the United Way of Greenville County before they can process your application. Call 2-1-1 (or 864-467-3333) first to get your intake started and find out which agencies currently have funding for your specific zip code, with information also available on Greenville County programs to help with an eviction.
Regional and Suburban Resources
For residents living in the "Golden Strip" (Simpsonville, Mauldin, Fountain Inn) or the northern textile corridors, these regional offices provide localized help.
- Greer Relief and Resources: Serves a specific "catchment area" including Greer, Taylors, Duncan, and Lyman. They offer loans and grants for rent or mortgages to those with a valid eviction notice. Address: 113C Berry Avenue, Greer, SC 29651. Phone: 864-848-5355
- North Greenville Crisis Ministry: This is the primary resource for the northern part of the county, including Travelers Rest and Slater-Marietta. They pay cash directly to landlords for back rent. Address: 864 N Highway 25 Byp, Greenville, SC 29617. Phone: 864-834-7342
- Center for Community Resources (Golden Strip Relief): Serves southern Greenville County and northern Laurens County. Address: 1102 Howard Dr, Simpsonville, SC 29681. Phone: 864-967-2022
- Foothills Family Resources: Specifically supports the Slater and northern Greenville region with rent and mortgage help during crises. Address: 3 Main St., Slater, SC 29683. Phone: 836-1100
- Operation Hope of Landrum: Focuses on Landrum, Campobello, and Gowensville. They provide small "last resort" grants to help single parents pay rent. Address: 206 E Rutherford St, Landrum, SC 29356. Phone: 864-457-2812.
- Clemson Community Care: Offers financial aid and shelter advice for those in the Greenville County areas near Clemson. Phone: 864-653-4460.
- Anderson Interfaith Ministries (AIM): While based in Anderson, they support residents in the city of Greenville with rent and security deposits. Phone: 864-226-2273.
Specialized Housing and Legal Assistance
- The Greenville Housing Authority (TGHA): Manages Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. While waitlists are often closed, specific Project-Based Voucher (PBV) lists for sites like Evergreen Place or Stratham Place are scheduled to open periodically. Address: 122 Edinburgh Ct., Greenville, SC 29607. Phone: 864-467-4250. Website: https://tgha.net/.
- South Carolina Legal Services (Greenville Legal Services): Provides pro-bono (free) attorneys for low-income tenants facing eviction hearings or dealing with unsafe living conditions. Phone: 864-679-3232
- AID Upstate: Specifically offers short-term rent and housing assistance for individuals and families impacted by HIV/AIDS. Address: 13 S Calhoun St, Greenville, SC 29601. Phone: 864-250-0607
- Urban League of the Upstate: Provides housing counseling and referrals, with a focus on assisting minority and low-income residents in overcoming systemic housing barriers. Address: 225 S Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville, SC 29607. Phone: 864-244-3862
- Greenville Legal Services: Pro-bono attorneys help stop evictions, address unsafe housing, and provide free legal advice to renters. Phone: 864-679-3232.
- Human Relations Commission: Helps resolve landlord/tenant disputes and offers fair housing counseling. Phone: 864-467-7095.
Charity Rent Assistance Programs and Faith-Based Aid
- Salvation Army of Greenville: Offers emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities. Note that they often require a signed intake application and all documents submitted online for review. Address: 417 Rutherford St, Greenville, SC 29609. Phone: 864-235-4803
- St. Anthony of Padua / Catholic Charities: Located at the Gallivan Center, these organizations offer partial rent payments and help with utility bills to stop an eviction. Address: 204 Douthit Street, Greenville, SC 29601. Phone: 864-242-2233
- New Jerusalem Baptist Church (Greer): Provides outreach and rental support for the Greer community, including assistance for migrants. Phone: 864-968-9297
- Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church: Provides immediate rent assistance to low-income families facing eviction, with a focus on families with children. Address: 3710 Augusta Rd, Greenville, SC 29605. Phone: 864-422-1648.
- Catholic Charities of the Piedmont Deanery: Offers direct rent payments, senior advocacy, and support for immigrants or women facing abuse. Address: 204 Douthit St., Ste. A-1, Greenville, SC 29601. Phone: 864-517-1044.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul: Provides emergency financial help for utilities and energy costs, which helps tenants avoid displacement. Parishes are located in Greer, Taylors, and Greenville. Get more details about financial assistance from Greenville St. Vincent de Paul.
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church: Offers financial support for rent to the working poor, disabled adults, and single parents. Phone: 864-263-3445.
- Saint Mary Church: Uses donated funds for furniture and, in some cases, limited rent assistance. Phone: 864-288-4884.
Long-Term Housing and Vouchers
- Greenville Housing Authority (TGHA): Administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program and manages public housing units. Learn more about Section 8 Voucher Rental Assistance. Address: 122 Edinburgh Ct., Greenville, SC 29607. Phone: 864-467-4250. Continue to learn more about Greenville Housing Authority.
- City of Greenville, Community Development Division: Coordinates government rent relief and section 8 housing programs. Phone: 864-467-4570.
- Greenville Housing Fund: Offers information on budgeting, low-income units, and a housing loan fund. Phone: 864-235-6331.
- Greenville Housing Futures, Inc.: Provides referrals to emergency rent help and manages rent-subsidized apartments for seniors and the disabled. Phone: 864-370-2020.
Emergency Shelters, Transitional Housing, and Possible Rehousing
The short term, emergency housing options below will try to provide people a place to stay, based on capacity, demand and other factors. There are also referrals to regional options such as Mercy Housing. After stabilization occurs, case managers will often try to help people find programs to help them pay the first month(s) rent or a deposit.
- Miracle Hill Ministries (Shepherd’s Gate): Shelter for women and children. Phone: 864-268-5589
- Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (GAIHN): Provides furniture, moving costs, and security deposit help for homeless families. Phone: 864-271-3424.
- Greenville Homeless Alliance: Offers online resources for hotel vouchers and emergency rehousing funds. Phone: 864-568-5791. Website: https://www.gvlhomes4all.org/.
- Greenville Rescue Mission: Shelter and services for homeless men. Phone: 864-242-6933
- Safe Harbor: Immediate shelter for victims of domestic violence. Phone: 864-467-1177
- Upstate Homeless Coalition / Upstate Continuum of Care: Provides emergency vouchers for rent, moving, or storage. Phone: 864-241-0462.. Website: https://www.upstatecoc.org/.
Additional Support from the Community
For community-led advice and local discussion on housing in the Upstate, visit the Greenville County SC rent assistance forum.. This is a moderated forum in which local people may find additional details on local rent assistance programs or other places that assist with housing.
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