Below is an excellent listing of resources provided by our panelist, Attorney Caroline Witz.  

Legal Representation/Information 

1. https://www.learnthelaw.org/group/502/classroom/2249 This online classroom on repairs has letters you can send your landlord, detailed info, and court pleadings if you need to sue for repairs 
2. https://www.learnthelaw.org/group/502/classroom/2291 This is an online classroom walking through residential eviction defense with some resources and forms related to defending an eviction. 
3. Legal Assistance through SC Legal Services’ intake line is 1 (888) 346-5592. Website: www.sclegal.org . SC Legal Services represent households with income up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Line, and can go higher than that for folks ages 60+. There are also some resources on this website as far as information on landlord/tenant law.  
4. Appleseed Justice Center does policy advocacy at the state and local level for better housing policy. They also have a lot of great informational resources on their website. https://www.scjustice.org/what-we-do/housing/  
5. For discrimination issues, folks whose landlords rent four or more units can file a complaint with HUD’s Fair Housing/Equal Opportunity Office here: https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing 
6. For discrimination issues for small landlords, folks can file a complaint with the SC Human Affairs Commission at https://sc.accessgov.com/humanaffairs/Forms/Page/humanaffairs/fairhousing/ 
7. The SC Bar’s website on the Housing Court pilot program (currently active in most courts in Charleston County, in Goose Creek, and in Richland County) is here: https://www.scbar.org/lawyers/bar-programs/pro-bono-program/volunteer-resources/housing-court-pilot-resources/ In courts that are part of the Housing Court program, tenants can show up to court on their scheduled hearing date, apply for services that day, and get an attorney in time for their hearing. 

 
Rental Assistance (local to the Charleston/Berkeley/Dorchester area) 

1. The United Way/211 has provided rental assistance in the past and typically has a good idea of where to refer folks for additional assistance. https://www.uwasc.org/sc211  
2. Palmetto Community Action Partnership has some funding to provide limited rental assistance right now in Berkeley, Dorchester, and Charleston. PCAP also handles the tri-county area’s LIHEAP program, which provides utility assistance. https://palmettocap.org/ 
3. East Cooper Community Outreach has provided rental assistance in the past to folks living in their service area (East of the Cooper). They have some resources open to Berkeley, Dorchester, and Charleston residents as well. https://eccocharleston.org/  
4. The Navigation Center has provided rental assistance in the past—believe their service area is Berkeley, Dorchester, and Charleston. https://thenavigationcenter.org/ 
5. Neighbors Together has provided some rental and utility assistance and other services. https://neighborstogethersc.org/helping-the-homeless/  
6. The Housing Crisis Helpline is for rapid rehousing/shelter needs if necessary—their number is (843)737-8357