SC Commission for Minority Affairs and HUD Bring Housing Workshop to Florence The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs (CMA) and the U.S. The Departm

June 09, 2023

The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs (CMA) and the U.S. The Department of Housing and Urban Development partnered to host a free homeowners and rental assistance workshop at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology Building in Florence.
Presenters included HUD Housing Program specialist Felicia Parks, SC State Housing Business Development Manager Claude Spurlock, USDA Rural Development Realty Specialist Carmen Hayes, ECHO Homelessness Program Chief Executive Officer Joey Smoak, HUD Rental Assistance Program Analyst Debra Dusenbury, and Donald Frierson with South Carolina Human Affairs Commission.

The workshop was held at the SiMT-Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology Building, 1951 Pisgah Road, Florence, SC 29501.

Attendees received vital information from staff members of CMA, HUD, the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority (SC Housing), the Eastern Carolina Housing Organization (ECHO), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission (SCHAC).

Attendees were given a wealth of resources to educate, guide, and assist communities of color on:

• Fair Housing

• Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Programs

• Homebuying programs

• Homelessness Assistance Programs

• Housing Counseling

• Rental Assistance

• State guidelines

The forum allowed for each panelists to present information from their respective organizations, and allowed for attendees to ask questions in a safe environment.

The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs anticpates hosting more community forums across the state in an effort to assist communities with homebuying and renters assistance.