Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choiceand lending institutions, insurance providers, real estate and property management agencies, property owners, and developers. Public Sector

AnalysisofImpedimentstoFairHousingChoice

Preparedfor

HorryCountyGovernment�CommunityDevelopment&GrantsDepartment�15154thAvenue,Conway,SouthCarolina29526�

(843)915‐7033www.horrycounty.org

Preparedby

CivitasLLC536VerandaView

MountPleasant,SouthCarolina(843)573‐7825

www.civitassc.com

January2014

Acknowledgements This Analysis of Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing Choice for the Horry CountyCommunity Development Block Grant Program was completed by Civitas LLC as anupdatetotheAIcompletedbyTheMatheny‐BurnsGroupinDecemberof2009.

MembersofCountyCouncilMarkLazarus–ChairmanHaroldWorley–District1BrentSchulz–District2

MarionFoxworth–District3GaryLoftus–District4

PaulD.Price,Jr.–District5BobGrabowski–District6JamesR.Frazier–District7CarlSchwartzkopf–District8W.PaulPrince–District9JodyPrince–District10AlAllen–District11

CommunityDevelopmentBlockGrantProgramStaff

Diana M. Seydlorsky, Community Development DirectorChristineSullivan,CommunityDevelopmentSpecialist

Maria“Cristi”Smith,AdministrativeAssistant

ContentsAcknowledgements ................................................................................................................................................. 2

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................ 5

Purpose ................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Fair Housing Concepts ............................................................................................................................................. 7

Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................... 8

Impact ................................................................................................................................................................... 10

Demographic Analysis ............................................................................................................................................... 11

Age Characteristics ................................................................................................................................................ 14

Racial Characteristics ............................................................................................................................................ 15

Educational Attainment ........................................................................................................................................ 19

Household and Family Status ................................................................................................................................ 20

Income and Employment ...................................................................................................................................... 20

Poverty Rates ........................................................................................................................................................ 23

Unemployment ..................................................................................................................................................... 25

Housing Conditions & Market Analysis ..................................................................................................................... 27

Housing Type & Size .............................................................................................................................................. 28

Housing Unit Size .................................................................................................................................................. 30

Housing Conditions ............................................................................................................................................... 31

Housing Occupancy Characteristics ...................................................................................................................... 32

Construction Activity ............................................................................................................................................. 34

Housing Market and Demand ............................................................................................................................... 36

Housing Costs ........................................................................................................................................................ 37

Home Value ........................................................................................................................................................... 39

Housing Affordability ............................................................................................................................................ 40

Public, Affordable, and Assisted Housing Units ..................................................................................................... 41

Health and Public Safety ........................................................................................................................................... 44

Health and Medical Facilities ................................................................................................................................ 44

Social Services ....................................................................................................................................................... 46

Crime Statistics ...................................................................................................................................................... 47

HIV/AIDS Cases ...................................................................................................................................................... 48

Vulnerable Populations ............................................................................................................................................. 49

Persons with Disabilities ........................................................................................................................................ 51

Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities ..................................................................................................... 53

Senior Citizens ....................................................................................................................................................... 55

Veterans ................................................................................................................................................................ 57

Homeless Populations ............................................................................................................................................... 58

Rural Homeless ..................................................................................................................................................... 59

Families with Children ........................................................................................................................................... 60

Veterans ................................................................................................................................................................ 60

Homelessness by Racial & Ethnic Group ............................................................................................................... 61

Homeless Shelters ................................................................................................................................................. 61

Continuum of Care .................................................................................................................................................. 62

Transportation, Education & Training ....................................................................................................................... 64

Public Transportation System ............................................................................................................................... 64

Commuting Patterns ............................................................................................................................................. 66

Training and Education ......................................................................................................................................... 68

Post‐Secondary Education ...................................................................................................................................... 70

Evaluation of Fair Housing Status .............................................................................................................................. 72

Complaints and Compliance Reviews ................................................................................................................... 72

Discrimination Suits .............................................................................................................................................. 77

Associated Housing Concerns and Problems ........................................................................................................ 77

Public & Non‐Profit Sector Fair Housing Programs & Activities ................................................................................ 80

Federal and State Grant and Loan Programs ........................................................................................................ 80

Local Housing Programs ........................................................................................................................................ 88

Private Sector Lending .............................................................................................................................................. 91

Lending Policies and Practices ................................................................................................................................. 91

Subprime Lending (also known as high‐cost lending) ......................................................................................... 100

Identification of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice ............................................................................................ 102

Public Sector ........................................................................................................................................................ 102

Conclusions & Recommendations ........................................................................................................................... 121

IntroductionHorry County is located in the northeastern corner of South Carolina. The County isborderedby North Carolina on the north, the Atlantic Ocean on the east, the rural and less developedcounties of Dillon and Marion to the west, and historic Georgetown County on the south.Comprisingtheheartof theGrandStrandcoastalregion,HorryCounty and its numerous beachcommunities have become the popular destination ofmore than 14 million visitors annually.The County is socio‐economically and geographically diverse, ranging from rural andtraditionally agricultural inland communities in the northern and western portions of theCounty, to popular beach resorts along its expansive coastline. The County’s economy isdominated by service‐ sector, retail and tourism employment that is characterized bysusceptibilitytoseasonalfluctuations,moderatewagesandlimitedbenefits.

Horry County has experienced continuous, explosive growth over the past few decades.AccordingtothemostrecentCensus,the2010thepopulationwas269,291.Thatrepresentsa 52% population growth since the year 2000. This impressive growth has undoubtedlybroughtmanyeconomicbenefitstothearea.Butitalsobringschallenges.Suchgrowthputsupward pressure onhousing prices, pushing adequate housing out of affordable reach formanylowandmiddle‐incomefamilies.Minoritiestendtofaceadisproportionateburdenofthisphenomenon.Lackofaffordabilityonlyexacerbatesthestillpresenthistoricalissuesofhousingdiscriminationthatracial,ethnic,andotherprotectedminoritieshavestruggledwithfordecades.Assuch,alackofaffordabilityremainsthetopbarrierinHorryCounty.ThemostrecentCensusestimatesshow63.3%ofrentersand44.2%ofhomeownersarepayingmorethan 30% of their income on housing costs (2011 ACS). In total, 42,520 households arefinanciallyoverburdenedduetohousingcosts.ThelackofLowIncomeHousingTaxCredit(LIHTC)unitsbeingproduced in themarketand the limitedavailabilityofHousingChoiceVouchersleadstoveryfewoptionsforlow‐incomehouseholds.

Purpose

Fairhousinghasbeen longbeenan important issue inAmericanurbanpolicy–aproblembornindiscriminationandfueledbygrowingcivilunrestthatreachedaboilingpointintheCivil Rights Movement. The passing of the Fair Housing Act in 1968 was a critical steptowardsaddressingthiscomplexproblem–butitwasfarfromasolution.SincethepassingoftheActcommunitygroups,privatebusiness,concernedcitizens,andgovernmentagenciesatall levelshaveworkedearnestlyatbattlinghousingdiscrimination.TheFairHousingActmandates that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ‘affirmativelyfurther fair housing’ through its programs. Towards this end HUD requires fundingrecipients toundertake fairhousingplanning(FHP) inorder toproactively takesteps thatwill lead to less discriminatory housingmarkets and better living conditions forminoritygroupsandvulnerablepopulations.As part of the HUD‐mandated Consolidated Planning process, Horry County adoptedits FiveYear ConsolidatedPlanin May2013 in conjunction with its two largest cities ofConway andMyrtle Beach. Prior to joining the County in its designation as an UrbanCounty Entitlement,both Conway and Myrtle Beach had individual designations as Entitlement Communities andreceived separate funding allocations to administer community development programs. Bothcitieselectedto jointheCounty in itsentitlement designation as an Urban County Entitlementand forego their individual entitlement status. However, each City maintains a CommunityDevelopment Manager position and manages the daily implementation of projects conductedwithintheircorporatelimits.

The FiveYear Consolidated Plan represents an assessment of the economic and socialstate ofthe County, as well as local government policies and programs to improve the livingenvironmentofitslowandmoderate‐incomeresidents.TheStrategicPlanincludes a vision forHorry County that encompasses the national objectives of the CDBG program and isaccompaniedbya firstyearAction Plan thatoutlines short‐termactivities to address identifiedcommunity needs. As part of the planning process, Horry County must also affirmativelyfurther Fair Housing and undertakes Fair Housing planning. This process includes thepreparation of anAnalysis of ImpedimentstoFairHousingChoice.

This 2013 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice represents anin‐depthexaminationof potential barriers, opportunities and challenges to housing choice for Horry Countyresidents on a countywide scale. Impediments to Fair Housing are defined as any actions,omissions, or decisions based upon race, color, religion, national origin, disability, gender, orfamilial status that restrict, or have the effect of restricting,housingchoiceortheavailabilityofhousing choice. Fair Housing Choice is the ability of persons of similar income levels –regardless of race, color, religion, national origin,disability,gender,orfamilialstatus–tohavethesamehousingchoices.

This Analysis ofImpediments is an extension of the countywide ConsolidatedPlanadoptedbyHorryCounty inAugust2013. TheAnalysis of Impediments isan integralcomponentof the fair

housingplanningprocessandconsistsofareviewofbothpublicandprivatebarriers to housingchoice and involves a comprehensive inventory and assessment of the conditions, practices,laws andpolicies that impact housing choicewithin ajurisdiction. Itprovidesdocumentationofexisting,perceivedandpotentialfairhousingconcernsandspecificactionstrategiesdesignedtomitigateor eliminateobstacles to housing choice for Horry County residents. The Analysis isintended to serve as a strategic planning and policy development resource for local decision‐makers, staff, service providers, the private sector, and community leaders in Horry Countyand the Cities of Conway and Myrtle Beach. As such, this Analysis of Impediments willultimately serve as the foundation for fair housing planning inHorryCounty.The long‐term objective of this Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice is to makehousing choice a reality for Horry County residents through the prevention ofdiscriminatoryhousingpractices. Onegoalof thestudy is toanalyze the fairhousingsituationinHorryCountyandassessthedegreetowhichfairhousingchoiceisavailable for area residents. A second goalis to suggest ways to improve the level of choice through continued elimination ofdiscriminatory practices if any are found to exist. The sections that follow provide a briefoverview of the legal and conceptualaspectsoffairhousingplanningandpolicy.

Fair Housing Concepts

Housingchoiceplaysacriticalroleininfluencingbothindividualandfamilyrealization andattainment of personal, educational, employment and income potential. Thefundamentalgoal ofHUD fair housing policy, and that of the State of South Carolina andHorry Countypolicies, is tomakehousingchoiceareality throughsoundplanning. Through its on‐goingfocus on Fair Housing Planning, HUD “is committed to eliminating racial and ethnicdiscrimination, illegal physical and other barriers to personswith disabilities, and otherdiscriminatory practices in housing.” Among the recurring key concepts inherent in fairhousingplanningare:

Affirmatively Further Fair Housing (AFFH) – Under its community developmentprograms,HUDrequiresitsgranteestoaffirmativelyfurtherfairhousing through threebroadactivities:1)conductanAnalysisof Impediments toFairHousingChoice;2)acttoovercome identified impediments; and 3) track measurable progress in effectingimpedimentsandtherealizationoffairhousingchoice.

AffordableHousing –Decent, safe, quality housing that costs nomore than 30% of ahousehold’sgrossmonthlyincomeforutilityandrentormortgagepayments.

FairHousingChoice–Theabilityofpersons,regardlessofrace,color,religion,national

origin,disability,gender,orfamilialstatus,ofsimilarincomelevelstohave thesamehousingchoices.

FairHousingPlanning (FHP)–FairHousingPlanningconsistsofthreecomponents:the

AnalysisofImpediments,adetailedActionPlantoaddressidentifiedimpediments,andamonitoringprocesstoassessprogressinmeetingcommunityobjectives. FHPconsistsofacloseexaminationoffactorsthatcan potentiallyrestrictorinhibithousingchoiceandservesasacatalystforactionstomitigateidentifiedproblemareas.

Impediments to Fair Housing – Any actions, omissions, or decisions based upon

race,color,religion,nationalorigin,disability,gender,orfamilialstatusthatrestrict,orhavetheeffectofrestricting,housingchoiceortheavailabilityofhousing choice.

LowandModerate Income–Definedas80%ofthemedianfamily incomeforthearea,

subject toadjustments forareaswithunusuallyhighor low incomesorhousing costs.Very low�income isdefinedas50%ofthemedianfamilyincomeforthearea,subjecttoadjustments for areaswith unusually high or low incomes or housing costs. Povertylevelincomeisdefinedas30%orbelowmedianfamilyincome.

Private Sector – Private sector involvement in the housingmarket includesbanking

and lending institutions, insurance providers, real estate and propertymanagementagencies,propertyowners,anddevelopers.

PublicSector–Thepublicsectorforthepurposeofthisanalysisincludeslocalandstate governments, regional agencies, public housing authorities, publictransportation, community development organizations, workforce trainingproviders,andcommunityandsocial services.

Methodology

The Analysis consists of acomprehensive reviewof laws,regulations, policies andpracticesaffecting housing affordability, accessibility, availability and choice withinHorryCounty. Theassessmentspecificallyincludedanevaluationof:

Existing socio‐economic conditions and trends in Horry County, with aparticularfocusonthosethataffecthousingandspecialpopulations;

Public and private organizations that impact housing issues in the County andtheirpractices,policies,regulationsandinsightsrelativetofairhousingchoice;

Therangeofimpedimentstofairhousingchoicethatexistwithinboththehigh‐growthcoastalcommunitiesandtheruralareasoftheCounty;

Specific recommendations and activities for Horry County and its municipalities toaddressanyrealorperceivedimpedimentsthatexist;and

Effective measurement tools and reporting mechanisms to assess progress inmeeting fair housing goals and eliminating barriers to fair housing choice inHorryCounty.

The planning process was launched with a comprehensive review of existing studies forinformation and data relevant to housing need and related issues.These documentsincludedlocal comprehensive plans and ordinances, the Housing and Community DevelopmentConsolidated Plan for Horry County, the Analysis of Impediments to FairHousing Choice forboth the City of Myrtle Beach and the City of Conway, and otherpolicy documents. Additionalservice provider data and observations were incorporated to include qualitative andquantitativeinformationonspecialpopulations.

Additional data was obtained from sources including Census reports, American CommunitySurvey data, the Division ofResearch and Statistics of the SC Budget and Control Board, theUSDepartment ofHousing and Urban Development (HUD), the National Low Income HousingCoalition(NLIHC), the SC Housing Finance and Development Authority, the Federal FinancialInstitutions Examinations Council (FFIEC), the SC Employment Security Commission(SCESC),and the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC). Interviews andfocused research requests were conducted with State and local public and private sectorrepresentatives from area banking, lending, insurance, real estate, property management,educational, health, community service, and neighborhood organizations.

Impact

Safe,decentandsanitaryhousing isaconsensusgoal forall residentsofHorryCounty. It isthe intent of this AnalysisofImpedimentsand its accompanying ActionPlantoachieve thefollowinggoals:

AssesscurrentpublicandprivatestrategiestomeettheCounty’shousing,infrastructure,andcommunitydevelopmentneedsandidentifynewstrategiesandapproachestoenhancefairhousingchoiceamongHorryCountyresidents.

Raise awareness of housing, infrastructure, and community development needs

amonglocalandregionalofficials,serviceproviders,enforcementstaffandtheprivatesector.

Identify and cultivate areas for potential governmental, nonprofit and privatesectorpartnershipswithinHorryCounty.

Foster coordination among service providers and jurisdictions throughout the

Countytomaximizetheuseoflimitedfiscalresourcestoimprovehousingchoice.

Broadenhousingopportunitiesfor lowtomoderate‐incomeresidentsandstrengthen neighborhoods by stimulating community development andinvestment.

Provide direction to Horry County and its municipalities to foster an ongoingcommitment to ensuring fair housing choice for all County residents.

DemographicAnalysisA review of socio‐economic data provides a necessary foundation for effective FairHousing needs assessment and planning efforts, and helps local decision‐makers andservice providers develop a clear picture of the human characteristics of the region.Information such as the number of Horry County residents, along with their race, agecomposition, and family status; income and employment data; health and public safetystatistics; household characteristics; and information on educational attainment andotherrelated factors are instrumental in guiding the development of relevant policies, programsand services to meet the housing and associated needs of low income and specialpopulations.H orryCountyhasexperiencedcontinuous,explosivegrowthoverthepastfewdecades.AccordingtothemostrecentAmericanCommunitySurvey(20115‐yearestimates) thepopulationinHorryCountyis265,139.Thatrepresentsa49.17%populationgrowthoverthelastdecade.HorryhasbeenoneofthefastestgrowingcountiesinSouthCarolinaformany years, and continues to be so. Beautiful natural amenities, world‐classentertainmentandrecreation,andagrowingeconomyareamongstahostoffactorsthatmakeHorryaplacepeoplewantlive.Thechartbelowhighlightsdemographicchangesinpopulation,numberofhouseholds,andincomebetween2000and2011.

Population,Households&IncomeGrowthDemographics 2000 2007‐2011ACS %ChangePopulation 177,743 265,139 49.17%Households 72,816 112,358 54.30%MedianIncome $36,470 $42,877 17.57%DataSource:2000Census;2007‐2011AmericanCommunitySurvey5YearEstimates

HORRYCOUNTYPOPULATIONCHANGE,2000‐2009

The map above visually displays the distribution of Horry's extensive population growthwithinthecountyoverthelastdecade.Theorangeandredshadedareasindicatehigherratesof growth in the county, whereas the purple shaded areas of the map indicate populationdecline.Muchofthecountycontinuestoexperienceincreasesinpopulation,withthecoastalcommunitiesofMyrtleBeachandNorthMyrtleBeach,alongwithCityofConway,experiencingthe highest levels of growth. The northern, more rural parts of the County are losingpopulation.ThelighterpurpleareasaroundAynorexperiencedapproximately4%populationdeclineoverthelasttenyears.Thedarkerareasinthenorthernmostsectionofthecountysawdeclinesrangingfrom7to17percent.

Themap below illustrates population density within Horry County. The highest densities areconcentratedwithinCensustractsonorneartheAtlanticOcean.TheCensus2000tracts with thehighest densities are located within the City of Myrtle Beach andsurrounding communitieseastof the IntracoastalWaterwayandalong theHighway17corridor.Manyof thetracts inandaroundtheCityofMyrtleBeachhavedensitiesofmorethan1,500personspersquaremile,withtracts in and around the City of North Myrtle Beach posting densities between 500 to 1499persons per square mile. Densities are also higher in tracts along the US Highway 501corridor that links the City ofConwaytotheCityofMyrtleBeach.

HOUSINGDENSITY

Age Characteristics

The median age for residents of Horry County mirrors the national trend towards an agingpopulation.Medianagehas increasedstarklyinHorry Countyoverthepasttwodecades‐ from33.8 years in 1990 to 38.3 years in 2000and41.3yearsin2011(2011ACS.)ThisdemographicshiftshouldcontinueasSouthCarolinaisprojectedtoexperienceadramaticpopulationincreaseof 85% to 115% among residents aged 65 and over through 2025. As the populationcontinues to age, there will be an increased demand for additional services for theelderly –manyofwhomhavelimitedandfixedincomesandlivealone.

AgeCharacteristicsAge # %

Total 265,139 100%

Under5 15,127 5.71%

Under18 53,750 20.27%

WorkingAge(18‐64) 167,089 63.02%

Aging(65+) 44,300 16.71%

MedianAge:41.3 ‐ ‐

DataSource:2007–2011AmericanCommunitySurveyFiveYearEstimates

Themapbelowdepictsthechangeinpopulationaged65andolder.Thewhitetoorange‐redshadedareasindicateanincreaseof13%ormore,whilethepurpleareasindicateadecreasein the population of persons 65 and older. Note that nearly all of Horry County has anincreasedseniorpopulation.

ChangeinPopulationAge65+

Racial Characteristics

Horry County has a predominantly white population with 79% Caucasian, 14%African‐American, and 6% Hispanic. By comparison, the population ofSouthCarolina is 67%Caucasian, almost 30% African‐American and 5%Hispanic. The f o l l ow ing tablecompares the racial and ethnic composition of HorryCountyresidents.It should be noted that an individual is considered to be of Latino or Hispanic origin if theperson is of Cuban,Mexican, PuertoRican, South or Central American or other Spanish cultureof origin,regardlessofrace. Therefore,residentsofHispanicoriginarecountedwithintheracialcategories of Caucasian, African‐American andOtherRaces and are also shownseparatelyasanethnicsubcategory.

RacialComposition

Race # %

White 210,575 79.42%

AfricanAmerican 36,453 13.75%Asian 3,062 1.15%NativeHawaiianorPacificaIslander 74 0.03%AmericanIndianorAlaskanNative 1,221 0.46%SomeotherRace 10,529 3.97%TwoorMoreRaces 3,225 1.22%

Hispanic* 15,544 5.86%

DataSource:AmericanCommunitySurvey2007‐2011FiveYearEstimates

WhilethemajorityofHorryCountyresidentsareCaucasian,itspopulationhasbecomeincreasinglydiverse in recent years.Between2000and2011,theCounty’sHispanic populationincreased bymore than three‐fold to 15,544persons–an increaseof214%.

The number of residents, of Asian descent , nearlydoubled (98%)between2000and2011 ‐growingfrom1,548personsto3,062 persons. The County’s Caucasian population increased bymore than one‐third in the 1990s (36.1%), and from 2000 to 2011 (32.4%). Growth in theCounty’sAfrican‐Americanpopulationwasthelowestofallmajorracialgroupsinrecentyears,postinga19.5%growthfrom2000to2011. Thegroupthatincludes personsof other ethnic groups grewdramatically by362% from 2,279persons to 10,529 persons. The only racial group inHorry County topostadeclinesince2000was theNativeHawaiian or Pacific Islander,whichdeclined from103persons to 74, a dropof28%.

ChangeinRacialCompositionRace 2000 2007‐2011 %ChangeWhite 159,094 210,575 32.4%AfricanAmerican 30,496 36,453 19.5%Asian 1,548 3,062 97.8%NativeHawaiianorPacificIslander 103 74 ‐28.2%AmericanIndianorAlaskanNative 814 1,221 50.0%OtherRaces 2,279 10,529 362.0%Hispanic* 4,959 15,544 213.5%DataSource:AmericanCommunitySurvey2007‐2011FiveYearEstimates

*HispanicisanethniccategoryintheCensus;thereforepersonsofHispanicoriginmaybeofanyrace.

ThefollowingthematicmapsummarizesracialandethnicdiversityintheHorryCountyusing the Diversity Index. The index shows the likelihood that two persons chosen atrandomfromthesameareabelongtodifferentraceorethnicgroups.Theindexrangesfrom0(nodiversity)to100(completediversity).Forexample,thediversityscorefortheU.S. is 61, which means there is a 61 percent probability that two people randomlychosenfromtheU.S.populationwouldbelongtodifferentraceorethnicgroups.

As shown in themapsbelow, the Census tracts with the highest minority concentrationsarelocated in themore urbanized areas of the County.Tractswiththelowestpercentagesof minority residents are located along and near the coast, along the US Highway 501corridor area fromMyrtle Beach to Conway, and inwesternHorryCounty. Thefivetractswiththelowestpercentageofminorityresidentsin the County are all located on the coastand range from 2.1% to 3.3% in minoritypopulation.

BlackorAfricanPopulation

HispanicPopulation

Educational Attainment

Despiteunprecedentedgrowth in theState’s coastal regionover the last twodecades,manyarea residents continue to experience daunting barriers to economic success such as loweducational attainment; low‐wage, low‐tech employment opportunities; limitedtransportation; and lack of access to key support services. Low educationalachievementandlackofadvancedtrainingisthemostsignificantobstacletoincreasedjob opportunity forarea residents. For the many residents lacking postsecondarytraining, especially womenandminorities, local jobs are limited to low‐wage, low‐techand seasonal employment thatoffers limited security, benefits or advancement opportunities. Without the successfulcompletion of high school, followed by thepursuitofadvancedtraininginhigherdemandoccupations,significantnumbersofarearesidentswillcontinuetoberestrictedtoless‐secure,minimum wage jobs. The 2007‐2011 ACS data indicates that nearly 12% of Horry Countyresidentsovertheageof25werewithoutahigh schooldiplomaorequivalency.

EducationalAttainmentEducationalAttainment # %TotalPersons25+yrs. 186,146 100%

Lessthan9thGrade 7,185 3.9%

HighSchool,NoDiploma 16,356 8.8%HighSchoolGraduates 64,048 34.4%College,NoDiploma 39,839 21.4%Associate Degree 17,962 9.6%Bachelor’sDegree 26,507 14.2%GraduateDegree 14,249 7.7%DataSource:AmericanCommunitySurvey2007‐2011FiveYearEstimates

Nationaldata reveals thathigh schoolgraduates from low‐income families are far lesslikelyto continue directly to college upon graduation, whereas as many as three‐fourths ofgraduates from high‐income families enter college upon graduation.Of the totalpopulationaged25andolder,nearlyone‐thirdoftheresidentsofHorryCounty(31.5%)haveanassociatedegreeorhigher.

Efforts to attract new employers to the region can be dampened by low educationalattainment levels. With theexceptionof a fewmanufacturers, the economyofHorryCountyis characterized by a dependence on lower wage service and seasonal jobs. By increasingthe educational levels of residents and encouraging increased access to postsecondarytraining, the County can alleviate a primary obstacle to building a more prosperous andsustainable community. Additionally, information about the public education system, post‐secondaryopportunitiesandjobtrainingprogramsisdiscussedlaterinthisreport.

Household and Family Status

Householdandfamilystatusesarekeyindicatorsofsocialandeconomicconditionsinthecommunity. There are 112,358 households in Horry County and roughly two‐thirds(65.1%)ofthesehouseholdsarefamilies(2011ACS)AmongHorryCountyhouseholds,12%are headed by a single female. Twenty‐eightpercentofhouseholdsinHorryCountyincludeindividualsaged65, andolder and10%arecomprisedofapersonover theage65 that livesalone.Aswillbediscussedinmoredetaillater,thesetwocategoriesarethemostlikelytobecomehousingcost‐burdenedandexperiencehouseholdincomesatorbelowthepovertythreshold.

Income and Employment

Employment data is an important indicator and factor in Fair Housing planning. Thelocationandaccessibilityofmajoremploymentcentersaffectsemployabilityandaccesstojobsfor lower income residents, including minorities, women and special populations. Inparticular, the proximity of employment to housing, also known as the employmentopportunity/housing linkage, impacts housing choice among these groups, aswell as theneedforadditionalsupportservicessuchastransportation.

Paralleling the expansion of state economies throughout the Southern region, SouthCarolinaexperienced heightened population and economic growth during the previous twodecades. Emerging from an agrarian tradition, the State as a whole has launched thetransformation of its economy into a more diversified base of manufacturing, retailtrade,health care, services, and tourism activity. Horry County continues to pursue economicdevelopmentstrategiesthatwillstrengthenthetaxbase,diversifytheeconomy, and increasethenumberandqualityof jobopportunitiesavailabletoresidents.

Asillustratedinthemapbelow,theCensustractswithhighestmedianhouseholdincomesareprimarily located on or in close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the Waterway, and thenortheasternareaofConway. CensustractswiththelowestmedianincomesareindenselypopulatedareasalongthecoastandinthenorthcentralandnorthwesternareasofConway,aswellasthemoreruralnorthernareaofHorryCounty.

MedianHouseholdIncome

TheabovemapdisplaysmedianhouseholdincomelevelsthroughoutHorryCounty.Thereisasignificant amount of, but not complete, overlay between the higher income areas of thecountyandthoseareasexperiencingpopulationgrowth.

ThemedianhouseholdincomeinHorryCounty(2007‐2011ACS)was$42,877whilethemedianfamily income was $52,280. Low and moderate‐ income (LMI) households are thosehouseholds with incomes at or below80%of themedian family income for the areaorS41,824 based on the 2007‐2011 ACS estimates. More than one‐third (35.3%) of Horry CountyresidentsareconsideredtobeLMI.

LMIareasexistthroughoutHorryCounty,inruralaswellasurbanareas.ThefollowingmaphighlightsLMIareasthroughoutHorryCountywithafocusonConwayandMyrtleBeach.

LOW‐TO‐MODERATEINCOMEAREAS

Poverty Rates

Anindividualisdescribedaslivinginpovertywhenheorshehasinsufficientresources tomeet basic living expenses, including the costs of food, shelter, clothing, transportation,andmedicalexpenses.In2011,16.7%ofHorryCountyresidentswerelivingbelowthepovertyline.(2011ACS).ACSfiguresindicatethatmorethanone‐fourth(26.4%)ofpersonslivinginpovertyinHorryCountywerechildrenaged18andyounger. T h e b e l ow t ableprovidescounty‐leveldatarelatedtopersonslivingbelowpoverty according to the 2007 – 2011AmericanCommunitySurveyFiveYearEstimates.

PovertyRatesPercentageofFamilies&PeopleWhoseIncomeinthePast12MonthsisBelowthePovertyLevel

PercentageofPopulation

AllFamilies 11.9%

Withrelatedchildrenunder18years 22.3%

Withrelatedchildrenunder5yearsonly 23.0%

Marriedcouplefamilies 5.4%



Familieswithfemalehouseholder,nohusbandpresent

36.7%



Allpeople 16.7%

Under18years 26.4%

18yearsandover 14.3%

18to64years 16.1%

65yearsandover 7.4%

Peopleunfamilies 13.9%

DataSource:2007‐2011AmericanCommunitySurvey5YearEstimates

As mentioned previously, the poverty rate rises dramatically among single‐female head ofhouseholdfamilies.Nearly54%ofsingle‐femalehouseholdswithchildrenundertheageoffiveliveinpoverty.Thismap shows thedistributionof poverty throughoutHorryCounty.Highest povertyratesare found in themoreruralcommunitiesof theCounty, specifically in thecentralandnorthwesternunincorporatedareas.

PovertyRate

Unemployment

Horry County has 135,327 residents in the civilian labor force (2011 ACS). Horry Countyconsistently maintainedoneofthelowestunemploymentratesintheStatefrom2000to2007.Mirroringtrends statewide, annual unemployment rates inHorryCounty rose steadily from2000to2004and dropped steadily from 2005 to 2007 before surpassing 11% in 2009andover12%in2010.It is important to note that the comparatively low average unemployment rates inHorry County through 2007 masked a vulnerable economy that is heavily dependent ontourismandseasonalactivity. Theregion’sdependenceontourism,servicesandretailsectoremployment generally translates into lowerwage job opportunities that rely onfluctuatingdemandandaresusceptibletoeconomicdownturns.Manyofthesejobsarealso part‐time ortemporary and lack key benefits such as health insurance. Thevulnerability of the localeconomy is evidenced by the substantial increase inunemployment from 2008 through2010 that is directly attributable to the current housing downturn and accompanyingrecession‐andhasonlyimprovedslightlybetween2010andtheendof2012.

EmploymentRate

Year Employment Unemployed UnemploymentRate

116,202 13,243 10.2%2011 114,225 15,182 11.7%2010 114,220 15,813 12.2%2009 114,960 15,520 11.9%2008 121,595 9,190 7.0%

2007 124,021 6,469 5.0%2006 120,985 6,989 5.5%2005 113,984 7,012 5.8%2004 109,090 6,867 5.9%2003 105,203 6,338 5.7%2002 100,043 5,480 5.2%

DataSource:SCDepartmentofEmployment&WorkforceHorryCountyCommunityProfile

26

A substantialpercentage of the work force continues to be employed in sectors characterizedby lower wages and that are impacted substantially by the seasonal nature of an economyheavilydependent on tourism. These tourism‐dependentsectors have experienced evengreaterjoblossesinthecurrenteconomicrecession.Employment sector data provided in t h e table b e l o w indicates that the service industry,particularlytheservicesectorsrelatedtotourism,istheprimarysourceofemploymentfor HorryCounty workers(36%). Nearly 20% of employed persons aged 16and older inHorry Countywork in the arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodations and foodservice sector; another16% in retail trade;16% in education, health and socialservices;and11%inconstruction.

EmploymentbyIndustry

Industry PeopleEmployed

PercentEmployedbythisIndustry

Agriculture,forestry,fishingandhunting,andmining 902 0.7%Construction 13,054 10.7%Manufacturing 4,947 4.1%WholesaleTrade 2,649 2.2%RetailTrade 19,460 16.0%Transportationandwarehousing,andutilities 4,194 3.4%Financeandinsurance,andrealestate,andrental/leasing

9,079 7.4%Professional,scientific,management,administrative,andwastemanagementservices 11,149 9.1%Educationalservices,healthcare,andsocialassistance 20,018 16.4%Arts,entertainment,recreation,accommodationandfoodservices

23,658 19.4%Otherservices,exceptpublicadministration

5,808 4.8%PublicAdministration 4,860 4.0%DataSource:2007‐2011AmericanCommunitySurvey5YearEstimates

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HousingConditions&MarketAnalysis

HorryCountyexperiencedsignificantgrowth inbothdemandandconstructionofnewunitsduring the housing boom years of 2004‐2008. During these years, home prices andsubsequently rents increased dramatically. Since 2008 however, foreclosures have beensignificant and many former homeowners have looked for affordable rental units as theyrecoverfromtheeconomicdownturn.Mostrecently,foreclosurenumbershaveleveledoffandhome sales are again increasing. Unfortunately, there are large numbers of low‐moderateincome renter households in the community that remain cost burdened and inmany casesseverely cost burdened. As the mapsthroughout this section will show, housing costs arehigher in the eastern half of the county between Conway and the coast. Housing costs arehighest in the central business districts of Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach. Notcoincidentally,thesearealsothecentersofemployment,entertainmentandservices.

Between2000and2008homedemandandhousingproductionskyrocketedinHorryCountyspecifically inaroundtheMyrtleBeachandNorthMyrtleBeacharea.However, likemostofthe county between 2008 and 2012, Horry County has witnessed extremely highunemploymentleadingtorampanthomeforeclosures.Furthermore,HorryCountyhasalwayshad a high prevalence of secondary homes and seasonal rentals. In the past, these homestended to drive housing prices (and values) higher.Unfortunately, these secondary homeswerehardesthitduringtheforeclosurecrisis.

These factorshave led to anever‐increasingdemand for affordable rental units.As thedatasetsbelowwillshow,thereisanadequatenumberofhousingunitsareavailableinthemarketandmostunitsarefairlynew,howevertherentalratesformanyoftheavailablehousingunitsarenotaffordable formanyresidents. Inmanycases thoseunits, thatareavailableat lowerrentrates,tendtobeolderandinneedofrepairsduetodeferredmaintenance.

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Housing Type & Size

NearlyhalfofallhousingunitsinHorryCountyaretraditionalsinglefamily,detachedhomes.However, there isa largeconcentrationofmediumto largemultifamilydevelopments in thecoastal areas of Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach. These multifamily developmentsinclude owner occupied condominiums, rental condominiums and rental apartmentcomplexes. ThroughoutHorry County there remains a significant number ofmobile homes.Duetorelativelyhighpricedhomes,lowtomoderateincomeresidentsareoftenleftwithnoaffordablealternativetomobilehomes.Additionally,beingacoastalcommunitysusceptibletotropicalstormsandhurricanes,theseless‐than‐stableunitsareamajorconcernfortheHorryCountycommunity.

RESIDENTIALPROPERTIESBYTYPE&NUMBEROFUNITSPropertyType Number %1‐unitdetachedstructure 83,988 45.9%1‐unit,attachedstructure 4,882 2.7%2units 3,588 2.0%3or4units 7,531 4.1%5‐9units 16,021 8.8%10‐19units 17,507 9.6%20ormoreunits 21,870 11.9%MobileHome 27,528 15.0%Boat,RV,van,etc. 146 0.1%Total 183,061 100%DataSource:2007‐2011AmericanCommunitySurvey5YearEstimates

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Structureswith5‐19

Units

Themapaboveidentifiestheconcentrationsofmultifamilydevelopments.Noticethedarkblueandpurpleareasareprimarilyalongthecoastwith largerconcentrationsaroundtheMyrtleBeachAirport,andthecommercialdistrictsofMyrtleBeachandNorthMyrtleBeachandtoalesserdegree,aroundthecentralbusinessdistrictinConway.

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Structureswith20orMoreUnits

Themap abovedetails the prevalence of largermultifamily developments. As stated above,largemultifamilydevelopmentisfocuseddirectlyalongthebeachfrontareasofMyrtleBeachand North Myrtle Beach. Again, these developments are comprised of owner occupiedcondominiums,rentalcondominiumsandrentalapartment.

Housing Unit Size

LessthanthirtypercentofallhousingunitsinHorryCountyhaveoneornobedroomsintheunit.Asdescribedinthetablebelow,themajorityofhomes(44%)inHorryCountyhavethreeormorebedrooms.

HOUSINGUNITSBYSIZE Number %

Nobedroom 17,012 9.3%1bedroom 9,805 5.4%2bedrooms 52,967 28.9%3bedrooms 80,793 44.1%4bedrooms 18,122 9.9%

5ormorebedrooms 4,362 2.4%TotalHousingUnits 183,061 100%

DataSource:2007‐2011AmericanCommunitySurvey5YearEstimates

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Housing Conditions

HorryCountyhasexperienced significantnewconstructionanddevelopmentbetween2000and 2010. The overwhelmingmajority of existing homeswere built since 1980; 77% of allunitswerebuiltpost1980.

YEARUNITBUILTRange Number %

Built2005orLater 17,755 9.7%Built2000‐2004 34,206 18.7%Built1990to1999 47,883 26.2%Built1980to1989 41,292 22.6%Built1970to1979 22,393 12.2%Built1960to1969 8,311 4.5%Built1950to1959 6,459 3.5%Built1940to1949 2,124 1.2%Built1939orearlier 2,638 1.4%Total 183,061 100%DataSource:AmericanCommunitySurvey2007‐20115YearEstimates

The map below depicts the concentration of rental housing built before 1980. Note thenorthwestcornerofthecountyhasanolderrentalhousingstockcomparedtothefairlynewrentalhousingdevelopedintheMyrtleBeach–NorthMyrtleBeach–ConwayMSA.

RENTALHOUSINGBUILTBEFORE1980

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Housing Occupancy Characteristics

According to theACS, thereare183,061housingunits inHorryCountywithanoveralloccupancyrateof61.4%. Homeownersoccupythemajorityoftheoccupiedunits(70.9%),whilejust29.1%oftheoccupiedunits are occupied by renter households. It shouldbenoted that along the coast there are largenumberofunitsthatareonlyseasonallyoccupiedandthustheoverallvacancyrateof38.6%maynotbeindicativeoftypicalhighvacancyduetoslumandblight.

HOUSINGOCCUPANCYHousingOccupancy Number %

TotalHousingUnits 183,061 100%

OccupiedHousingUnits 112,358 61.4%

HomeownerVacancyRate N/A 4.3%

RentalVacancyRate N/A 34.7%

OwnerOccupiedHousingUnits 79,702 70.9%(ofoccupiedunits)

RenterOccupiedHousingUnits 32,656 29.1%(ofoccupiedunits)

DataSource:AmericanCommunitySurvey2007‐20115YearEstimates

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The followingmap details the concentration of owner vacant housing units throughout thecounty.Whileoverallownervacancyislow,themapindicateslargeconcentrationsofvacantunitsalongthebeach,specificallyintheneighborhoodsinandaroundNorthMyrtleBeach.

OwnerVacancyRates

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Construction Activity The line graph below depicts perhaps the best representation of the housing boom andsubsequent collapse between 1999 and 2012 in Horry County, Conway and Myrtle Beach.Notice the extreme growth beginning in 2002 and peaking in 2004‐2005; followed by adramaticfallthrough2010.TheCountyanditstwomajorcities,Conway&MyrtleBeach,haveseenaslightup‐tickinconstructionactivityin2011‐2012.However,activitylevelsarestillfarbelowevenpre‐boomtrendsof1999‐2000.

Detailedbuildingpermit data included in the table be low shows that Horry County added atotal of 67,479housing units from 1999 to 2012 ‐ adding 41,124 new single‐family housingunits and26,355multi‐familyhousingunits.

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Single‐family construction accounted for 61% of construction in Horry County, 56% ofconstruction in Conway, and only28%ofhousingconstructioninMyrtleBeachduringthesameperiod. Multi‐family construction comprised 39% of construction in Horry County, 44% inConway,andnearlythanthree‐fourths(72%)ofnewhousingconstructioninMyrtleBeach.

HousingUnitPermitsIssuedYear

HorryCounty Conway MyrtleBeachTotalUnits

Single�Family

Multi�Family

TotalUnits

Single�Family

Multi�Family

TotalUnits

Single�Family

Multi�Family

2012 2,308 2,029 279 162 78 84 324 272 522011 1,776 1,481 295 296 42 254 193 187 62010 1,508 1,388 120 84 84 0 119 119 02009 1,711 1,457 254 111 89 22 124 74 502008 2,997 1,867 1,130 174 110 64 588 57 5312007 5,268 3,813 1,455 425 249 176 520 240 2802006 10,335 6,484 3,851 496 350 146 1,318 331 9872005 11,828 6,471 5,357 359 152 207 1,716 323 1,3932004 7,068 4,253 2,815 110 104 6 807 147 6602003 5,130 3,363 1,767 121 91 30 565 107 4582002 4,017 2,432 1,585 263 73 190 190 97 932001 4,268 2,030 2,238 85 51 34 236 98 1382000 4,492 1,907 2,585 122 62 60 900 50 8501999 4,773 2,149 2,624 81 81 0 411 119 292Total 67,479 41,124 26,355 2,889 1,616 1,273 8,011 2,221 5,790

DataSource: HUDStateoftheCitiesDataSystems,2009&USCensusBureau

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Housing Market and Demand TheHorryCountyhousingmarkethashistoricallybeenanactiveone–characterizedbyhighdemand,higherlandandproductioncosts,andalimitedsupply,especiallyfornontraditionaland affordable housing. However, Horry County’s housing market has beensubstantiallyimpacted by the severe national housing downturn that began in late 2007 and gainedmomentumin2008. Thistrendhascontinuedthroughout2012inHorryCountyashousingsaleshaveonlyjustbeguntoreachpre‐recessionnumbersyethomepriceshavecontinuedtodeclineoverthepastsixyears.Newhousingconstructionhassloweddramatically,creditandloanshavebecomemoredifficulttoobtain,andtheaccompanying recession has resulted in substantialjob losses thathaveputmanyhomeownersatrisk.Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data for Horry County shows a d r ama t i c decrease in thenumber ofresidentialsalesfrom2006to2009.In2012,however,totalsalesnearlymatchedthepre‐recessionaryratesof2006andearlier.

AnnualHousingSales 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

NumberofSales 9,579 6,571 6,074 6,851 8,479 8,590 9,533

DataSource:BoxwoodMeansInc.viaPolicyMap

Medianhomesalespriceshavedropped significantly every year following the ten‐year peakin 2007with amedian sales price of $184,000. In 2012 however, themedian sales prices forresidentialunitsinHorryCountywasjust$116,000–a37%decreaseinmediansalespriceoverthefive‐yearperiod.

MedianSalesPrice 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

MedianPrice

$179,900 $184,000 $160,000 $139,500 $130,000 $119,900 $116,000

DataSource:BoxwoodMeansInc.viaPolicyMap

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Housing Costs

Whilerecentsalespriceshavebeendeclining,overallhomevaluesinHorryCountyhaverisensincethe2000Census.ThetablebelowprovidesevidenceoftheimpactthehousingboomhashadonthemedianhomevaluesthroughoutHorryCounty.Medianhomevalueshaveincreasednearly 79% from 2000 to 2011.Median rents have also increased by just fewer than 61%duringthesameperiod.

CHANGEINCOSTOFHOUSING 2000 2007‐2011ACS %Change

MedianHomeValue $95,400 $170,600 78.83%MedianContractRent $502 $808 60.96%DataSource:2000Census&2007‐2011AmericanCommunitySurvey5YearEstimates

Themajorityofrentalhouseholds(66%)paymonthlyrentsbetween$500and$999whileonlyabout11%ofrenterhouseholdspaylessthan$500inmonthlyrent.Themapsbelowfurtherdetailthelocationsandconcentrationsofthesemedianrentrates.

RENTALHOUSINGCOSTSRentPaid Number %

Lessthan$200 428 1.4%$200‐299 560 1.8%$300‐499 2,175 7.5%$500‐749 8,947 29.5%$750‐999 10,943 36.1%$1,000‐$1,499 6,097 20.1%$1,500ormore 1,198 3.9%TotalUnits/MedianRent 30,348 $808DataSource:2007‐2011AmericanCommunitySurvey5YearEstimates

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MedianRent

Similartothetrendsdescribedbelowformedianhomevalues,medianrentsarehigheralongthecoastandgetlowerasonemovesfromeasttowestthroughoutthecounty.Asdefinedinthemapabove,medianrentswestofConway, themost ruralpartsof thecounty,arebelow$450permonth.BetweenConwayandthecoast,medianrentsrangefrom$450to$700.ThehighestmedianrentsarefoundnearthecentralbusinessdistrictsofMyrtleBeachandNorthMyrtleBeachwithmedianrentsbetween$700and$1018.

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Home Value

Medianhomevaluesthroughoutthemoreruralareasofthecountyremainbelow$140,100.Astobeexpected,thecloserunitsaretothecoast,thehigherthevalue.Essentially,homeseastof Conway, includingMyrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, have a median value between$140,100 and $275,700. The highest median home values are found along the intercostalwaterwaysandmarinadevelopmentsofNorthMyrtleBeachwheremedianhomevaluesrangebetween$275,700and$468,800.Alongthecoast,slightlysouthofHorryCounty,medianhomevaluesexceed$745,100.

MedianHomeValues

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Housing Affordability

ByHUD’sdefinition,householdspaying inexcessof30%of theirhousehold incometowardshousing costs (renter or owner) are said to be cost burdened. The map below details thepercentage of households that are defined as cost burdened. The light purple shades showareaswherebetween44%and72%ofhouseholdsarecostburdened.Furthermore,thedarkpurple areas detail communities where more than 72% of households are cost burdened.Followingmedianhomevalueandrentalratetrends,theeasternhalfofthecountyhashigherconcentrationsof costburdenedhouseholds,with thehighest concentrationscenteredalongthe coast and in the central business districts of Conway, Myrtle Beach and North MyrtleBeach.

HousingCostBurden

AccordingtotheACS2007‐2011FiveYearEstimates,16,521renterhouseholdsweredeemedcost burdened in the given time period. Additionally, 9.2% of those households werecomprisedofindividualsovertheageof65.Whiletherearesomecostburdenedhouseholdsinhigherincomebrackets,98%ofallcostburdenedrenterhouseholdsearnedlessthan$50,000peryear.Inshort,thereisamajorshortageofaffordablehousingunitsforhouseholdsbelow80%AMI.Asthetablesabovedescribes,medianrentforallunitsinthecountyis$808permonth.Atthisrate large households (families of 3 or more) and households at or below 80% AMI havetrouble finding adequate and affordable housing. Those households at or below 60% AMIexperienceextremedifficultyfindingaffordablehousing.

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Duein largeparttodeclininghousingsalespricesoverthepast fiveyears,housingcosts forbothownersandrenterhouseholdshavebeguntostabilize.However,homevaluesalongthecoastareexpectedtoincreaseslightlyoverthenextfiveyears,whichwilleventuallyleadtoareturntohighermortgagecostsandrentalrates.Fortunately,theseratesareexpectedtoriseatamuchlowerratethanwhattheareaexperiencedbetween2004and2008.Overthenextfiveyears,asthenationaleconomycontinuestorecover,thetourismindustryinandaroundHorry County will continue to expand, providing more jobs and hopefully higherwages.Increased employment opportunities and wages should serve to at least partiallycounterbalancetheincreasinghousingcostsoverthenextfiveyears.

Public, Affordable, and Assisted Housing Units Funding assistance of various types o f a f f o r d ab l e h ou s i n g has been provided to thedevelopers of assisted housing in Horry County over the years. Within these developments,over2,750assistedhousingunitsareavailabletoqualifiedCountyresidents. Therentforassistedunits is set at a price that is affordable to householdswith low incomes.Assistancevariesfromproject to project and ranges from: Section 8 rental subsidies for low and very low incomehouseholds; financing incentives to developers for buildingmulti‐family rental units for lowand moderate income families; and the provision of tax credits to developers of multi‐familyrental units who provide affordable housing for low income families in 20%ormore of theirunits.Section 8 vouchers can be used to obtain housing in an assisted housing development(project‐based) or to subsidize rent for a home or apartment on the private rentalmarket(tenant‐based). The Section 8 program for Horry County is administered through twoprograms. TheHousingAuthorityofConwayadministersvouchers for residents in thewesternareaoftheCounty and theHousingAuthorityofMyrtleBeach(MBHA)administersvouchersforresidentsintheeasternareaoftheCounty.MBHA currently administers 666 tenantbasedSection 8 vouchers for housing. 5 4 p r o j e c t b a s e d v o u c h e r s , 3 5 7 Veterans SupportiveHousing vouchers, and 621 vouchers fordisabled persons. There are approximately 600 families/individuals on theMBHA waitinglistforhousingassistance.Currently, 368 tenant based Section 8 vouchers for housing are administered by the HousingAuthority of Conway. Section 8 is the only housing voucher program administered by theConway Housing Authority. Like MBHA, the Conway HA has an extensive waiting list forhousing assistance. Additionally, the Conway Housing Authority operates four public housingdevelopmentswithatotalof260rentalhousingunits.

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InventoryofAssistedRentalHousinginHorryCountyLocation Project Assistance

TypeFamilyUnits ElderlyUnits

TotalUnits

AssistedUnits

%ofAssist

%ofAssist# #

Aynor MorrisManor HOME,LIHTC 22 22 0 0.0% 22 100.0%Conway BellsBayLandings LIHTC 60 60 60 100.0% 0 0.0%Conway BlackwaterCove USDARural

Development,HOME

30 27 27100.0%

0

0.0%

Conway CherryHillApts. 221‐d‐3 50 50 50 100.0% 0 0.0%Conway CraneCreekApts. USDARural

Development,HOME

56 54 54100.0%

0

0.0%

Conway DardenTerrace HAofConway 100 100 80 80.0% 20 20.0%Conway GardenTerraceApts. USDARural

Development58 58 26

44.8%

32 55.2%

Conway GatesBayApts.I USDARuralDevelopment

52 52 52100.0%

0 0.0%

Conway GatesBayApts.II USDARuralDevelopment

50 50 50100.0%

0 0.0%

Conway HoltGardens HAofConway 40 40 16 40.0% 24 60.0%Conway HuckabeeHeights HAofConway 100 100 90 90.0% 10 10.0%Conway LegacyApts.I&II HOME,LIHTC,

HousingTrustFund

184 150 150100.0%

0

0.0%

Conway NorthOaksApts. USDARuralDevelopment

44 44 44100.0%

0 0.0%

Conway PineValleyApts. USDARuralDevelopment

40 40 40100.0%

0 0.0%

Conway QuailVillageApts. USDARuralDevelopment

48 48 48100.0%

0 0.0%

Conway RaintreeApts. USDARuralDevelopment

40 40 40100.0%

0 0.0%

Conway RuliseTerraceApts. USDARuralDevelopment

56 56 56100.0%

0 0.0%

Conway SandersVillage/LeeHaven

HAofConway 58 58 2644.8%

32 55.2%

Conway ShadyMossTownhouse USDARuralDevelopment

46 46 46100.0%

0 0.0%

Conway TheOaks USDARuralDevelopment

44 44 44100.0%

0 0.0%

Conway WaccamawApts. USDARuralDevelopment

24 24 24100.0%

0 0.0%

LittleRiver TheLandings USDARuralDevelopment

24 24 24100.0%

0 0.0%

Loris CreekwoodApts. USDARuralDevelopment

42 42 42100.0%

0 0.0%

AssistedRentalHousinginHorryCounty(continued) FamilyUnits Elderly

Total Assisted % f % f

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Location Project AssistanceType

Units Units # Assist # Assist

Loris LorisGardens LIHTC 36 36 0 0.0% 36 100.0Loris PalmettosWay LIHTC 40 40 40 100.0% 0 0.0%Loris TallPinesApts. I Section 8 24 24 15 62.5% 9 37.5%Loris TallPinesApts.II Section8 8 8 8 100.0% 0 0.0%MyrtleBeach AllianceInnApts.‐

permanent homelesshousing

LIHTC54 54 54

100.0%

00.0%

MyrtleBeach BalsamPlaceApts. HOME,HTF,SHP,CDBG

25 25 25100.0%

0 0.0%

MyrtleBeach CarolinaCoveApts. LIHTC 73 58 58 100.0% 0 0.0%MyrtleBeach CarverApts. 221‐d‐3 32 32 32 100.0% 0 0.0%MyrtleBeach CarolinaBreezeApts. I 236‐j‐1 60 60 60 100.0% 0 0.0%MyrtleBeach CarolinaBreezeApts.II 236‐j‐1 71 71 71 100.0% 0 0.0%MyrtleBeach CedarwoodTownhouses HOME 12 11 11 100.0% 0 0.0%MyrtleBeach ChicoraApts. 207 66 66 66 100.0% 0 0.0%MyrtleBeach DogwoodForestApts.I 236‐j‐1 60 60 60 100.0% 0 0.0%MyrtleBeach DogwoodForestApts.II 236‐j‐1 71 71 71 100.0% 0 0.0%MyrtleBeach DunbarVillas

TownhousesHOME 16 16 16

100.0%

0 0.0%

MyrtleBeach FoxtrotVillas USDARuralDevelopment

48 48 48100.0%

0 0.0%

MyrtleBeach HalyardBendApts. USDARuralDevelopment

48 48 48100.0%

0 0.0%

MyrtleBeach JeffersonPlaceApts. Section8 41 41 0 0.0% 41 100.0MyrtleBeach MonticelloParkApts. LIHTC 80 68 68 100.0% 0 0.0%MyrtleBeach MonticelloParkApts. II LIHTC 56 56 56 100.0% 0 0.0%MyrtleBeach MonticelloParkApts.III LIHTC 56 56 56 100.0% 0 0.0%MyrtleBeach Pinegrove II LIHTC 46 46 46 100.0% 0 0.0%MyrtleBeach PipersPointe LIHTC,HOME 72 72 72 100.0% 0 0.0%MyrtleBeach PlantationApts. Section8 110 110 70 63.6% 40 36.4%MyrtleBeach SandyGateVillage 221‐d‐4 104 104 96 92.3% 8 7.7%MyrtleBeach SwansgateApts.I,II,&III HOME,LIHTC,

HousingTrustFund

122 122 00.0%

122

100.0%

MyrtleBeach TurtleCayApts.I USDARuralDevelopment

50 50 50100.0%

0 0.0%

N.MyrtleBeach Summercrest LIHTC 74 58 58 100.0% 0 0.0%HorryCountyTotalUnits 2,859 2,776 1,255 83.9% 45 16.1%DataSource:SCHousingFinanceandDevelopmentAuthority,USDARuralDevelopment

*Tablemaynotincludeacompletelistingofexistingfacilities

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HealthandPublicSafetySpecial populations are generallymore dependent on the supply of affordable housingand aremore likely to experience barriers in accessibility. These populations include:victimsofcrime,especially domestic violence; the elderly; homeless; migrant and seasonal workers; individualswithchronichealthconditions:residentswithdisabilities;andveterans.Access to support services,health care, andother resourcesarekey considerations inassessingthe affordable housing supply. Special populations, such as the elderly,veterans, low income,the chronically ill, and residents with disabilities, generally experience a need for greaterlevelsofsupportservicesthanthepopulationasawhole.The location of housing supply withinthe context of overall accessibility to critical supportservices,employment,andmedicalcarecaneithercreateormitigatebarrierstoaffordablehousingandhousingchoice.

Health and Medical Facilities Residents of Horry County have access to three hospital systems as well as several non‐profithealth care providers that provide free and reduced cost health and medical services fordisadvantagedpopulations.The Grand Strand Regional Medical Center (GSRMC) is an acute care hospital servingresidents and visitors of Horry and surrounding counties. The Hospital has the only cardiacsurgery program in Horry County and is a designated trauma center.Located in the heart ofMyrtle Beach on 82nd Parkway, GSRMC has amedical staff ofmorethan250physicians,900staffmembers and 200 hospital volunteers. The Medical Center has seven affiliates throughout theGrand Strand to provide health care – theGrand Strand Regional Diagnostic & Women’s Center,South Strand Ambulatory Care Center,North Strand Diagnostic Center, Carolina Forest SeniorHealthCenter,NorthStrandSeniorHealthCenter,SouthStrandSeniorHealthCenteronthecampusof the South Strand Community Medical Center, and Health Finders, a community resourcecenterlocatedintheCoastalGrandMall.

TheConwayMedical Center (CMC) is a private, non‐profit provider of acutecare to residentsof Horry County and surrounding communities. Located off of USHighways 501 and 544 onSingleton Ridge Road in the City of Conway, CMC offers access to 200 physicians and 160patient rooms. Now in its 78th year, the Hospital iscertifiedasaLevelIIPerinatalCenterandaLevelIIITraumaCenter. Inadditiontothethree‐story hospital, the Center campus also includesthe Kingston Nursing Center, owned and operated by the Hospital, a medical office complex,and the Wellness & Fitness Center which includes a cardiac rehabilitation area, outpatientphysical therapy, and the area’s only aquatic therapypool. TheHEALTHREACHmobile healthservices program is designed to address theneeds of Horry County’s medically underservedresidents. Free mobile healthscreeningsforearlydetectionofheartdisease,cancer,strokeandchronic lung disease are provided to residents who lack primary health care services. Themobile unit is staffed with a registered nurse and a licensed practical nurse, who administerscreeningsandofferreferral,follow‐upandeducationalcounseling.

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McLeodHealthisaregionalhealthcareorganizationwithSouthCarolinalocationsinFlorence,Dillon,Darlington,Loris,andLittleRiver.Foundedin1906,McLeodisalocallyowned,not‐for‐profit institution which features the strength of more than 750 physicians and 4,700employees,inadditiontomodernfacilities;premiertechnology;andadedicationtoimprovingthehealthofpeopleofthecommunity.McLeod LorisHospital, located in Loris , is a fully accredited acute care facilitywith 105licensedbeds. Itoffersawiderangeof inpatientandoutpatientservices,andamedicalstaffmadeupofmorethan120activeandaffiliatephysicians. Hospital servicesincludeinpatientandoutpatient services, cardiology, surgery, ICU, radiology,rehabilitation, obstetrics, women’s healthservices, hospice, and a Level III Trauma Center that serves more than 19,000 patientsannually. McLeodSeacoast, located in theNorthMyrtle Beach area, is a 50‐bed hospital offering awiderange of inpatient and outpatient services. Itsmedical staff includesmore than 120 active andaffiliatephysicians.The Myrtle Beach Veterans Administration (VA) Primary Care Clinic provides primaryhealthcare forveteransand isoperatedbytheVeteransAdministration. TheClinic islocatedontheformerMyrtleBeachAirForceBaseandservesmorethan7,000patientsin Horry County andsurrounding areas. Due to technology and changes in national and VA health care trends,the VA has moved from a hospital‐based system to aprimarilyoutpatient‐focusedsysteminrecent years. In South Carolina, the VA operates major medical centers in Charleston andColumbia. To provide additional and moreaccessible care for veterans, especially those livingin rural areas, the VA operates outpatient clinics in Myrtle Beach, Anderson, Beaufort,Florence, Greenville, Goose Creek, Orangeburg, Rock Hill, and Sumter. Area veterans alsohave access to theFayettevilleMedicalCenter inneighboringNorthCarolina, located93milesnorthwest.Officesof theSCDepartmentofHealthandEnvironmentalControl located inConway,MyrtleBeach, Loris and LittleRiver provide adult and child immunizations, blood tests,environmentalhealth, family planning and other services for residents of the HorryCounty.Health Care Partners of SC is a community health center with the mission to provideaffordable and accessible health care to medically underserved populations within theCounty.Health Care Partners operates facilities at two sites in Conway, on NorthMain Street and OakStreet. Payment is determined by family size and income and Medicaid and Medicare areaccepted. Health Care Partners provides a comprehensive set of health care services thatinclude general primary care, diagnostic tests and screenings, emergency medical services andurgent care, immunizations, women’s health, prenatalcare, pediatrics, mental health screeningand counseling, vision and hearing screening, pharmacy, diabetes prevention, nutritioncounseling,andafullservicelab.FriendshipMedical Clinic and Pharmacy in Conway is the oldest freemedical clinic inSouthCarolina, providing free primary health care and a full service pharmacy for medicallyindigentresidentsofHorryCountysince1965. TheClinicserveslowincomeand indigent adultsresiding in Horry County who have no access to medical insuranceandfallbelow185%oftheFederalpovertyguidelines.

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LittleRiverMedicalCenterprovides a Health Care for the Homeless program withprimarycare services to homeless individuals in Horry County through a freestanding health center,outreachatareashelters,afoodkitchen,andamobilemedicalvan.TheCenter partnerswith theTotal Care for the Homeless Coalition, Shoreline BehavioralHealth, Waccamaw Public HealthDistrict, Horry‐Georgetown Technical College, SOS Healthcare, Conway Hospital, CommunityKitchen, Carolina Health Specialist, City ofMyrtle Beach, Home Alliance, Grand Stand Housing,Street ReachMinistries,MyrtleBeachHaven, Citizens Against Spousal Abuse, and SeaHaven toreach specialpopulations in need.

Social Services

FamilyIndependence(FI)isatime‐limitedprogramthatassistsfamilieswithdependentchildrenin providing for basic needs through cash assistance, supportive services, and training andemployment opportunities. These services are designed to enable parents toleavetheprogramandbecomeself‐sufficient. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the FoodStampProgram,works toendhungerand improvethehealthof low‐incomepersonsbyhelpingfamilies purchase the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet. SNAP eligibility andbenefits are based on factors including the number of persons living in a household and theamount of family income remaining after certain household expenses are subtracted. SNAPbenefitsaredepositedinanaccountforrecipientseachmonthandareaccessedviaanElectronicBenefitsTransfercard. Thecardcanthenbeused as a debit card for food purchases. Medicaid provides medical care for certain low‐income individuals and families.Thepurposeof the program is to provide medical care for specific groups of low‐income individualsincluding those who are aged, blind, or disabled; members of families with children; andpregnant women. Medicaid is the largest program providing medical and otherhealth‐relatedservicestothenation’spoorestresidents.

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Crime Statistics A safe and secure environment that projects a climate of health, vitality and community spiritamong residents of all ages is integral to the provision of affordable and fair housing. Theneedforasafelivingenvironmentisespeciallyvitaltothemostvulnerableof thecitizenry–theelderly,theyoung,thedisabled,theill,thepoor,andotherspecialpopulations.Theincidenceofcriminalactivityiscloselyassociatedwithothercommunitysocialandeconomicfactors such as poverty, poor educational achievement, unemployment andsubstance abuse.Occurrencesof indexcrimesarekey indicatorsof theprevalenceofserious crime activity, bothviolent and non‐violent. The crime index does not includeall crimes reported, but focuses onseven crime categories – murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, breaking and entering,larcenyandmotorvehicletheft. However,itshould be noted that these statistics are based oncrimes actually reported to lawenforcement agencies and do not include the many cases,especially for rape andassault,thatareoftenunreportedbyvictims.More than 32,250 index crimes were reported in Horry County in 2011.Ofthose,1,816wereconsideredviolentcrimes.HorryCountyranked4thhighestcountyinSouthCarolinainthetotalincidencesofviolentcrimefor2011.Propertycrimeaccountedforjustunderhalf(47.2%)ofallcrimes. Larceny accounted for one‐third (33.1%) of crimes in the County and aggravatedassault and motor vehicle theft accounted for 3.8%% and 3.5% of crimes, respectively. Abreakdown by type of crime inHorry County isdetailedinthetablebelow.

IndexCrimeOffenses

IndexCrime

2011NumberofIncidences

2011IncidenceRatePer100,000residents

Murder 23 0.83Rape 175 6.3Robbery 406 14.7AggravatedAssault 1,212 43.9PropertyCrime 15,234 551.3Breaking&Entering 3,415 123.6Larceny 10,687 386.7MotorVehicleTheft 1,132 41.0DataSource:SCLawEnforcementDivision(SLED),CrimeinSouthCarolina2011.

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HIV/AIDS Cases The incidenceofHIV and relateddiseaseshasbecomea growing concernwithinboththe Stateand Horry County.However,accordingtothelateststatisticsreportedbySCDHEC,HorryCountyhasseendramaticimprovementsinboththeincidenceratesandprevalenceofHIV/AIDSamongresidents.TherateofHIVcasesper100,000 inpopulationinHorryCountydecreasedfrom19.3(144cases)between2006and2008to12.3(99cases)between2009and2011.Furthermore,thereportednewcasesofAIDSdroppedfrom116newcasesbetween2006and2008to88casesbetween2009and2011.

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VulnerablePopulations

An alternate way of viewing social needs in a community is through the lens of socialvulnerability. Social vulnerability refers to the socioeconomic, demographic, andhousingcharacteristicsthatcontributetoacommunity’sresiliency–thatisitsabilitytoadaptandbouncebackfromdisastersandmajordisruptions.ThemapbelowsummarizestheSocialVulnerabilityIndex(SoVI)forHorry.Itanswersthequestion"WherearetheareasofrelativelyhigherriskwithinHorryCounty?"fromtheperspectiveofsocialvulnerability.Darkershadedareasrepresentahighervulnerability.Susan Cutter with the University of South Carolina’s Hazards and Vulnerability ResearchInstitutedevelopedtheSocialVulnerabilityIndex(SoVI);ESRIcombinedSoVIdatawiththeir2009DemographicUpdatetoproducethedatalayer.Theindexgivesadifferentviewofwherepotential social vulnerabilitiesexist thanwhensingularlyviewingmeasuresof race, income,age, etc. While those indicators are factored in, a number of additional areas are alsoconsidered such as health status, housing, rural vs. urban, industrial development, socialdependence,etc.

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Persons with Disabilities Disabilities can includeawide rangeof conditions –physical limitations,mental illness,as wellas serious medical conditions. Included are persons with mentaldisabilities,autism, traumaticbrain injury, spinal cord injury and similar disabilities. A person is considered to have adisability if they have difficulty performing functions such asseeing, hearing, talking, walking,climbing stairs, lifting and carrying; have difficultyperformingactivitiesofdaily living;orhavedifficultywith social roles such as helpingchildrenwith homework, working at a job or doinghousehold chores. A person who is unable to perform one or more activities, who uses anassistive device to get around, orwho needs assistance from another person to perform basicactivitiesisconsideredtohaveaseveredisability.The SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department (SCVRD) works with rehabilitation clients ateither residential facilities or in community dayprograms. The SCDepartment of DisabilitiesandSpecialNeeds (SCDDSN)estimates that1%to1.5%of any population ismildly or severelyintellectuallydisabled. Given this estimate, itis possible that more than 3,700 persons inHorry County may suffer frommentaland/orintellectualdisabilities.The following table uses 2012 American Community Survey estimates to provide a statisticalprofileofdisabilityinHorryCounty.In2012were44,742peoplelivingwithadisabilityinHorryCounty ‐ approximately 16% of the total population. 17% of all Horry County males have adisability, compared to15%of females. Furthermore, approximately17%ofwhite and16%ofblackshaveadisability.

PersonswithDisabilities

TotalPopulation

#withDisabilities

%withDisabilities

Population 280,840 44,742 15.9% Populationunder5years 15,470 131 0.8%Withahearingdifficulty 131 0.8%Withavisiondifficulty 0 0.0% Population5to17years 40,595 2,132 5.3%Withahearingdifficulty 250 0.6%Withavisiondifficulty 426 1.0%Withacognitivedifficulty 1,459 3.6%Withanambulatorydifficulty 326 0.8%Withaself‐caredifficulty 454 1.1% Population18to64years 172,992 25,451 14.7%Withahearingdifficulty 4,872 2.8%Withavisiondifficulty 4,624 2.7%Withacognitivedifficulty 10,146 5.9%Withanambulatorydifficulty 14,521 8.4%

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Withaself‐caredifficulty 6,864 4.0%Withanindependentlivingdifficulty 9,395 5.4% Population65yearsandover 51,783 17,028 32.9%Withahearingdifficulty 7,798 15.1%Withavisiondifficulty 3,322 6.4%Withacognitivedifficulty 4,193 8.1%Withanambulatorydifficulty 10,962 21.2%Withaself‐caredifficulty 4,368 8.4%Withanindependentlivingdifficulty 6,343 12.2% SEX Male 135,605 22,887 16.9%Female 145,235 21,855 15.0% RACEANDHISPANICORIGIN OneRace Whitealone 227,592 37,768 16.6%BlackorAfricanAmericanalone 37,896 5,977 15.8%Twoormoreraces 6,247 535 8.6% Whitealone,notHispanicorLatino 216,831 37,275 17.2%HispanicorLatino(ofanyrace) 17,464 565 3.2% Summary Disabilitystatus 4.60% Hearingdifficulty 2.80% Visiondifficulty 3.20% Cognitivedifficulty 3.30% Ambulatorydifficulty 3.30% Self‐caredifficulty 3.30% Independentlivingdifficulty 3.20% DataSource:2012AmericanCommunitySurvey

Persons with disabilities are also vulnerable to poverty. In South Carolina, 30.2% of people with a

disability aged 21 to 64 were living below the poverty line 2011. Only 28% were employed.

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Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Supportive housing continues to be a strong need among the disabled community.Specialized regional centers that provide active treatment and medical services, intermediatecare facilities, group homes, community training homes, supervisedapartment living programsand independent living programs are all housing needs forthispopulation. A wide range of housing and care facilities are available for persons with disabilities.Privateboarding homes include room and board facilities, while supervised living programs areprimarily single unit apartments that provide services and support foradults. BothtypesarelicensedbySCDDSN. Communityresidentialcarefacilitiesofferroom and board to two or moreindividuals, and provide a degree of assistance for medical or rehabilitative services for aperiod of time in excess of 24 consecutive hours. Community training homes resemble asingle‐family home and attempt to blend into the surrounding community. Such licensedhomes are limited to three beds for adultsandchildren, whoreceivepersonalizedservicesandsupport. Intermediatecarefacilitiesserve fourormore individualswhorequire24‐hourmedicalandrehabilitativeservices and are heavily regulated and licensed by SCDHEC.In SouthCarolina, themajorityoftheseare8‐bedfacilities. TherearefourregionalcentersintheState–eachis licensed and certified as an intermediate care andmajor regional facility. Generally, regionalcenter placement is recommended only when appropriate community residential services arenotavailable. Accordingtoitswebsite,HorryCounty’sDepartmentofDisabilitiesandSpecialNeeds(DDSN)provides for limited residential placements in DDSN facilities for critical need adults withIntellectualDisabilities/RelatedDisabilitiesandAutism.Onlyadultsin“criticalcircumstances”areconsideredforplacement.Residentialplacementsforhead‐orspinalcord‐injuredadultsareunderdevelopment,accordingtothesite.Therearenoplacements foradultswithotherdisabilities. The site also states that “at present, there are lengthy waiting lists.” Currentnumbers of DDSN beds for the disabled, Section 8 vouchers for the disabled, and theavailability of community‐basednon‐profit independent living services inHorry County, fallfarbelowtheneedsofthenumberandwiderangeofdisabledinHorryCo.

In1972,beforepassageoftheRehabilitationActof1973,disabilityactivistsfoundedthefirstCenterforIndependentLiving(CIL).TheseCenters,operatedbyindividualswithdisabilities,werecreatedtoofferpeersupportandrolemodeling.WiththepassageoftheAct,legislationmadeFederal funding for a specific set of community‐based services available throughCILsacrossthestates.

Today,thereismorevariationintheprogramsthatareoffered,thefundingsources,andthestaffing.Dependingonthepublicservicesinthecommunity,Centersmightassistwithhousingreferralandadaptation,personalassistancereferral,orlegalaidforresolvingissuesuniquetothe disabled living in the community. Typically, Centers work with local and regionalgovernmentstoimproveinfrastructure,raiseawarenessaboutdisabilityissues,andlobbyforlegislation that promotes equal opportunities and prohibits discrimination. South Carolina’sCouncilforIndependentLiving(http://scsilc.com/)workstoestablishandsupportlocalnon‐profit organizations that provide cost‐effective, inclusive community‐based residentialsupports,trainingprograms,andanetworkofhousingopportunitiesforthedisabled.Aswith

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services for other vulnerable populations, these programs build public‐private partnershipsandsolutions.Non‐profitCentersforIndependentLiving(CILs)nowprovideservicesinallSCcountiesexceptnine.HorryCountyisamongtheninethathavenotyetdevelopedaCIL.(SeeattachedmapfromtheSCCentersforIndependentLiving).However,inHorryCounty,lengthywaitinglistsforDDSNplacement,ashortageofDDSNbeds,a lack of Section 8 vouchers, and no non‐profit community based alternatives and services,makeregionalcenterplacementlikelyforcriticalcareadults.Atpresent,DDSNoffers16totalbedsfordisabledadultsrequiringcarefulsupervision.Fortybedsareavailablewithintraininghomesforadultsrequiringlesssupervision.Eighteenbedsareavailablein“supportedliving”apartmentsoperatedbyDDSN. A totalof74DDSNbeds(not includingDDSNplacements infamily homes in a “foster‐like” situation) exist in Horry County for approximately 3700personswithintellectualordevelopmentaldisabilities.ConsideringthatDDSNdoesnotofferresidentialprograms forotherdisabledadults,andno localnon‐profitalternativescurrentlyexist, the approximately 13,500 disabled below the poverty line in the County represent acriticalneedforbedsandservices,andareathighriskforfairhousingissues.

Withthenumbersofdisabledprojectedtoincreaseincomingyears,HorryCounty’svulnerabledisabledpopulation is facinga critical shortageofbeds, servicesandsupports inpublic andnon‐profitsectors.

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Senior Citizens The median age for residents of Horry County mirrors the national trend towards an agingpopulation.Medianagehas increasedstarklyinHorry Countyoverthepasttwodecades‐ from33.8 years in 1990 to 38.3 years in 2000and41.3yearsin2011(2011ACS.)ThisdemographicshiftshouldcontinueasSouthCarolinaisprojectedtoexperienceadramaticpopulationincreaseof 85% to 115% among residents aged 65 and over through 2025. As the populationcontinues to age, there will be an increased demand for additional services for theelderly –manyofwhomhavelimitedandfixedincomesandlivealone.As detailed in the Housing Affordability section, safe and affordable housing poses achallengeformanyelderlyresidentsinHorryCounty.HorryCountyseniorsareatriskinavarietyofareasthatrangefromhealthcareandincomestabilitytomentalhealthand neglect. The elderly oftenface new obstacles in balancing the costs of basic necessities such as food, shelter andmedical expenses within the context of a fixed income upon retirement. Such financialconcerns due to limited incomes and investment losses are forcing many older citizens toprolong their stay in theworkforce as long as possible to maintain earning capability. Giventhe more recent economicdownturn, it is likely that thenumbersofworkingseniorsareevenhigher.Leading safety concerns for the elderly include accidents and falls, fire safety, abuse andvulnerabilitytocrime,anddiminisheddaily livingcapacity. Fallsposeatopconcern among theelderly and can result in impaired mobility, disability and otherhealth complications. ManyelderlyresidentsliveintheCounty’soldesthomes. Olderhomesthatlackpropermodificationsorthatareinneedofrepairposeagreaterriskofinjury for elderly residents. Next to housing, health care costs constitute the second major financial hurdle for seniors.Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 years of age or older, certainyounger people with disabilities, and people with end‐stage renal disease. Services coveredinclude inpatient hospital services, post‐hospital skilled nursing care, home health services,hospice care, prescription drugs, and physician’s services.Theneedforin‐hospitalservicesandnursinghomecaregenerallygrowswithage. Themajorityof nursing home or communityresidentialcarebedsintheCountyarefilledbypersonsaged65andolder.Therearetwoprimarytypesofhousing fortheelderly inHorryCounty,representingarangeofassistanceandcareoptions:NursingHomesarefacilitiesthatprovidenursingorconvalescentcare fortwoormorepersonsunrelated to the licensee. A nursing home provides long‐term care of chronic conditions orshort‐term convalescent or rehabilitative care of remedial ailments for which medical andnursing care are necessary. Although some residents are admitted for shorter convalescent orrehabilitativestaysfollowinghospitalization,mostnursingfacilityresidentsareolderadultswhorequire long‐term care. As listed in the table on the following page,DHEClistsnine licensednursinghomesinHorryCounty.CommunityResidentialCareFacilities, also referred to asAssistedLivingFacilities, offerroom and board for two or more persons unrelated to the licensee. These facilities are

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designed to accommodate changing needs and preferences of residents; maximize thedignity,autonomy,privacy,independence,andsafetyofresidents;andencouragefamilyandcommunityinvolvement.Alsoincludedisanyfacility(otherthanahospital),whichoffersabeneficialorprotectedenvironmentspecifically for individualswhohavemental illnessordisabilities.TheDivisionofHealthLicensingoftheSouthCarolinaDepartmentofHealthandEnvironmentalControl(SCDHEC)listselevencommunityresidentialcarefacilitiesinHorryCounty. The table below lists the nursing and assisted living homes currently located inHorryCounty.NursingHomesandAssistedCareFacilities

FacilityName

Location

NursingHomesAgapeRehabilitationofConway ConwayBrightwaterSkilledNursingCenter MyrtleBeachConwayManor ConwayCovenantTowersHealthCare MyrtleBeachGrandStrandHealthcare MyrtleBeachKingstonNursingCenter ConwayLorisExtendedCareCenter LorisMyrtleBeachManor MyrtleBeachNHCHealthcareGardenCity Murrells InletTotalAvailable AssistedLivingFacilitiesAgapeAssistedLivingatGardenCity Murrells InletAgapeAssistedLivingofConway ConwayBrightwaterAssistedLiving MyrtleBeachLadiesCommunityResidence ConwayLoisEagleHome ConwayMagnoliasofMyrtleBeach MyrtleBeachMyrtleBeachEstates MyrtleBeachMyrtleBeachManorRetirementCommunity MyrtleBeachPlace at Conway ConwayReflectionsatCarolinaForest MyrtleBeachSummitPlaceofNorthMyrtleBeach LittleRiverDataSource:SCDHEC,DivisionofHealthLicensing,LicensedFacilitiesbyType,2013.

*Tablemaynotincludeacompletelistingofexistingfacilities.

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Veterans

Veterans are disproportionately in need of education and training, employment,treatmentfordepressionandsubstanceabuse,andsafeandaffordablehousing. SouthCarolina’s large veteranpopulation also experiences special needs in long‐term care,homelessness, andmedical care.Nationally,more than 40%of living veterans are 65yearsorolder–generatingagrowingneedfor a full spectrumof home and community‐based supportprograms. TheNationalAlliance toEnd Homelessness estimates that as many as one‐quarter of the nation’s adult homelesspopulation are veterans, withmanymore living in poverty and at risk of becoming homeless.These numbersmay rise asyoungerveteransreturnhomefromthetwocurrentwarsandfinditdifficult to secure employment in the economic decline. Recent estimates reveal anunemployment rateamongveteransthatapproaches15%,wellabovethegeneralpopulation.The2011ACS5‐YearEstimatesreportedthatthereare28,081veteransliving in Horry County,of which nearly 94.3% are male and 5.7% are female. 46.2% of the County’s veterans aresenior citizens. Among the County’s veteran population, 21.4% are 75 years of age or older,24.8%arebetweentheagesof65and74,and18%areaged55‐to‐64years. Nearly33%ofHorryCounty veterans are35‐to‐54years oldand 2 7 . 8% are among the County’s youngest groupof veterans from 18‐to‐34 years ofage.Veteransareparticularlyvulnerableasapopulation.AsHorryCounty’sTenYearPlanpointsout 18.2%ofyoungveteransareinpovertyanddisabled. 63%ofveteransaged55‐64areinpovertyanddisabled. 69%ofveteransaged65+areinpovertyanddisabled. VeteransaretwotimesmorelikelytobecomechronicallyhomelessArea veterans benefit from close proximity to the Myrtle Beach Veterans Administration (VA)community‐based outpatient clinic (CBOC) – a provider ofprimaryhealthcare services as oneof nine community‐based VA centers in the State. The VA operates two full major medicalcenters in South Carolina – the Ralph H.Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston and theWilliam Jennings Bryan Dorn VAMedical Center in Columbia. The JohnsonVAMedicalCenteris a primary,secondary and tertiary caremedical center that provides acutemedical, surgicaland psychiatric inpatient care, and both primary and specialized outpatient services. Inaddition, the Center operates anursing home. TheMedical Center also operates the outpatientclinics inMyrtle BeachandSavannah, Georgia and also supports theVeteransCenters inNorthCharleston andChatham County, Georgia.The Johnson VA Medical Center is closely affiliatedwith the Medical University of South Carolina. The Dorn VA Medical Center is a providingacute medical, surgical, psychiatric, and long‐term care. The Hospital provides primary,secondary andsome tertiary care, andalsooperates aNursing Home Care Unit adjacent to thehospital. The University of South Carolina’s School of Medicine is co‐located on the hospitalgroundsandmaintainscloseaffiliationwiththeHospital.VAprograms for the homeless are alsocentered in Charleston and Columbia. Theseprogramsare funded throughgrantsandperdiempayments by the VA to community and non‐profit organizations that provide transitionalhousing and job training programs. These support services are augmented by theinvolvement of volunteersfromveteranssupportgroupsthroughouttheState.

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HomelessPopulations

Homelessness is a particularly troublesome and complex issue that plagues communitiesacrossthenation.Amajorreasonthathomelessnessissodifficulttocombatisthatithasmanycauses with overlapping and interrelated variables. The cause of any one person'shomelessnessoften lies,not inasingle factor,butat theconvergenceofmultipleeventsandconditions. Fromone angle, homelessness canbe seen as an economic problem ‐ causedbyunemployment, foreclosure,orpoverty.Fromanotherviewpoint,homelessnesscouldappeartobeahealthissue‐asmanyhomelesspersonsstrugglewithonemoreorconditionssuchasmental illness, physical disability, HIV, or substance abuse.Looking at the problem anotherway, homeless emerges as a social problem ‐ with factors such as domestic violence,educational attainment,or race lyingat the root. In reality, homelessness is causedbyall ofthese issues, sometimes simultaneously. As such, fighting homelessness requires a trulycollaborative,community‐basedapproach.

The Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act defines the "homeless" or "homelessindividual” or “homeless person" as an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequatenight‐timeresidence;andwhohasaprimarynight‐timeresidencethatis:

Asupervisedpubliclyorprivatelyoperated shelterdesigned toprovide temporarylivingaccommodations (includingwelfare hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housingforthementallyill);

An institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended tobeinstitutionalized;or

A public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regularsleepingaccommodationforhumanbeings.

In2010,theCountyundertookacomprehensiveandcollaborativeplantoendhomelessnesstitled,"ATen‐YearCollaborativePlantoEndHomelessnessinHorryCounty,SouthCarolina."Theplan'sbroaddefinitionofhomelessnessis:“...anyonewhoislackingasafe,stableplacetoliveorisatimminentriskoflosingtheirresidence.Thisincludesindividualsandfamilieswhoare currently living on the street; staying in emergency or transitional shelter; temporarilystayingwith familyor friendsbecause theyhavenowhereelse to live; living in substandardhousing or housing not fit for human habitation such as housingwithout runningwater orelectricity; temporarily living inahotelormotelbecause theydonothaveanywhereelsetolive;injailorprisonwhowillhavenowheretoliveuponrelease;temporarilyinahospitalorpsychiatrichospitalthatwillhavenowheretoliveuponrelease;oratimminentriskofbeingevictedfromtheircurrentplaceofresidence.”

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Population Estimatethe#of personsexperiencinghomelessnessonagivennight

Estimatethe#experiencinghomelessnesseachyear

Sheltered Unsheltered PersonsinHouseholdswithAdult(s)andChild(ren)

15 261 1,209

PersonsinHouseholdswithOnlyChildren

2 2 18

PersonsinHouseholdswithOnlyAdults

182 424 2,654

ChronicallyHomelessIndividuals

21 69 681

ChronicallyHomelessFamilies

0 0 0

Veterans 12 50 408UnaccompaniedChild

2 2 18

PersonswithHIV 2 2 9DataSource:

Rural Homeless While the2013PITCountaccounted for ruralhomelessduring thecanvas, thedatasetdoesnotdistinguishbetweenurbanandruralhomeless.Thereforeweareleftwithlimitedrawdatafrom which to gather any precise measurement.Again,The County'sTen‐Year Plan to EndHomelessnessprovidesvaluable insight intothematter:"Detailedstatisticson theextentandcostsofruralhomelessnessarescarceinlargepartbecauseofthetraditionalfocusoffederalfunding on the more visible problem of urban homelessness. More recent groundbreakingresearch on rural homelessness was conducted in Maine that documented the dauntingbarriersthattheruralhomelessexperienceduetoalackoflocalservicesandfacilitiesforthehomeless,longerdistancestoaccessserviceproviders,alackoftransportation,andgeographicisolation (Mondello, et al, 2009). The lack of adequate shelter options in many ruralcommunities leads to the rural homeless living in overcrowded conditions and older,dilapidateddwellings.Althoughtheruralhomelessliveinunsatisfactoryconditions,toooftentheydonotmeettheHUDdefinitionofhomelessnessanddonotqualifyforassistance.Whilepovertyratesrunhigheramongruralresidents,especiallyforchildren,theyaremorelikelytoreceivefinancialhelpfromfriendsandfamilymembersthangovernmentbenefits.The rural homelesswith disabilities face themost daunting barriers to assistance,with thestricterHUDdefinitionandeligibilitycriteriaforthehomelessexcludingmanydisabledruralresidentsfrompermanentsupportivehousingprograms.Homelessfamiliesandindividualsinrural settings must access services through multiple providers in different and sometimesdifficulttoreachlocations.

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Withnopublic transportation in outlying communities, the distance betweenproviders andthehomelessisacommondeterrenttotheiruse.Gapsintheruralhomelessservicenetworkarelargeandleavemanyruralhomelesswithfew, ifany,optionsforassistance.Lowsheltercapacity is common in small, rural communities, with the homeless in these areas oftenreferred to shelters and services in larger cities, further removing these families andindividualsfromtheirlocalsupportnetworksintheirhomecommunities.The rural homeless seeking services in Horry County, particularly housing, must generallyrelocatetoMyrtleBeachorConwayforshelterandassistance.Estimatesorcountsoftheruralhomelessarenotavailableatthecountylevel.However,anassessmentofselectedindicatorsavailable for rural areas – such asmedian household income, poverty rates, age of housingstock,lowandmoderateincomecensustracts,andschooldistrictdataonhomelessstudents–can provide insight into the potential extent of homelessness among the County’s ruralresidents...With the exception of Atlantic Beach, the highest concentrations of low andmoderateincomeresidentsarefoundintheLorisandAynorcommunitiesatmorethan54%and51%ofresidents,respectively.

Families with Children The2013PITCountfound276homelesspersonsinhouseholdsthathadatleastoneadultandonechild.Ofthesehomelessfamilies,15wereshelteredand261wereunsheltered.Homelesschildren facea litanyofcomplexitiesandproblems that, if leftunresolved, cancontribute tothemcontinuingapatternofhomelessintoadulthood.Chieflyamongthemistheaddedstressoneducationalattainmentthathomelessface.Lackoftransportation,volatilelivingconditions,andgeneralinstabilitymakesimplyshowinguptoschoolachallenge.Studying,focusing,andexcellingintheseconditionscanseeminsurmountable.Furthermore, as the Ten‐Year Plan to End Homelessnesshighlights, "homeless childrenexperiencemoderatetoseverehealthconditionsandseriousemotionaldisturbancesatdoublethe rate of middle class children. One in six homeless children has serious emotionaldisturbances andone in sevenhasmoderate to severehealth conditions.Homeless childrenare three timesmore likely to live in householdswhere adults are physically abusive.Morethan eight‐out‐of‐ten homeless children (83%) have been exposed to at least one seriousviolent event by the time they reach the age of twelve (National Center on FamilyHomelessness,2009)."

Veterans

The 2013 PIT Count found 12 sheltered and 50 unsheltered homeless veterans throughoutHorry County. Of those, all of the sheltered veterans and 47 of the unshelteredweremale.UsingHMIS figures, it is estimated that approximately408veterans experiencehomeless inHorryeachyear.Asapopulation,veteranshavespecialneedsandchallengeswhencomparedto thebroaderhomelesspopulation.Veterans tend tohavehighereducationattainmentandprofessional experience, and on that factor have a greater ability to transition into the

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workforce if their issuesare treatedor resolved.On theotherhand,Veteranshaveahigherprevalenceofmedicalissues,includingPTSDandproblemswithsubstanceabuse.

TheTen‐YearPlantoEndHomelessnesshighlightsanadditionalimportantperspectiveonthehomelessveteranpopulation:“Anotheremergingissueisassociatedwiththeuniqueneedsofhomeless women veterans. Traditionally a smaller number, the incidence of homelessnessamong female veterans is rising as more women participate in the armed forces and thecurrentconflicts.VeteransAdministrationdataprojectsthat3to4%ofthehomelessveteranpopulationarefemales.Thesewomenveteransfacespecificissuesthatcancontributetotheirchanceofbecominghomeless.Theyaremorelikelytobevictimsofsexualabusethanwomeningeneralandaremorelikelytobesingleparentswithchildrenthantheirmalecounterparts.Theyalsoexperiencehigherratesofunemploymentandmentalillness,butarelesslikelythantheir male peers to have a substance addiction. Homeless programs for veterans havetraditionally focused on males and are rarely designed to accommodate women, especiallythosewithchildren.”

Homelessness by Racial & Ethnic Group According themost recentHMISdemographic report (Feb2013), 71%of persons accessinghomeless services inHorry Countywerewhite. 23.7%of those accessing homeless serviceswereblackand3.1%wereHispanic.Allotherracescomprisedtheremainingcouplepercent.

Homeless Shelters

Twelvepublicandprivateorganizationsprovideshelterandhousingforhomelessfamiliesandindividuals inHorry County. Current shelter resources for the County's homeless consist ofemergencyshelterbedsprovidedbyfiveorganizationsandtransitionalshelterbedsprovidedby five organizations. Permanent supportive housing units are provided by threeorganizations.

EmergencyShelterBeds Transitional

HousingBedsPermanentSupportive

HousingBedsYearRoundBeds(Current

&New)

Voucher/Seasonal/OverflowBeds

Current&New

Current&New

UnderDevelopment

HouseholdswithAdult(s)andChild(ren)

254 0 12 176 15

HouseholdswithOnlyAdults

231 0 88 59 3

ChronicallyHomelessHouseholds

0 0 0 0 0

Veterans 0 0 0 0 0UnaccompaniedYouth 0 0 0 0 0

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ServicesforthehomelessinHorryCountyareprovidedbyawiderangeofpublicandprivateorganizations, including government agencies, faith‐based organizations, and non‐profits.ECHO and the Horry County Homelessness Collaborative (HCHC) are the lead agenciesoverseeingtheHorryCounty10yearPlantoEndHomelessnessimplementationeffort.NearlysixtyagenciesandorganizationsprovideservicesforthehomelessinHorryCountyaspartoftheHomelessManagement InformationSystem (HMIS) and theHorryCountyHomelessnessOrganizationsCommittee.

Servicesprovidedincludethosethathelptomeetbasicneedssuchasfoodandhousing,aswellastheprovisionofotherservicestomeetthecriticalneedsofthehomelessandtoassisttheminbecomingself‐sufficient.Supportiveservices includeassistancewithhealthandsubstanceabuse issues, employment, education, childcare, transportation, case management, andcounselinginareassuchaslifeskillsandmentalhealth.Outreachservicesincludingmortgage,rentalandutilitiesassistance,counselingandadvocacy,andlegalassistancearealsoavailable.

Continuum of Care HorryCounty is amemberof theEasternCarolinaHomelessOrganization (ECHO), anon‐profit501(c)3corporationthatbringstogetheragenciesandorganizationsin12countiestoprovidea“ContinuumofCare”forhomelesspersonsandfamilies.ECHOexistedastwoseparatehomelesscoalitions:TotalCare for theHomelessCoalition(TCHC)andHomelessCoalitionof thePeeDee(HCPD)priortotheirmergerinJuneof2010.The mission of ECHO is to meet the needs of those who are homeless or at risk ofbecominghomeless by creating and maintaining a continuum of care that will assist individuals andfamilies out of a homeless condition and into a state of stability and independence. ECHOaccomplishes its mission through a network of State and localpublicorganizationsandprivatenonprofitorganizationswithinthetwelve‐countyareathatcreate and support opportunities todecrease homelessness. As the coordinator ofhomeless services in the region, ECHO seeks toavoid duplication of services, troubleshoot problems, improve communication andcollaboration between providers, and expand community participation in the effort to endhomeless. The Coalition alsoworks to improve employment opportunities for the homeless,expand services andhousing programs and stabilize existing programs.

Through the Coalition, memberscreate and support emergency shelter and transitional andpermanent housing and provide supportive services including prevention and outreach,transportation and emergency assistance, family and life skills counseling and job trainingservices, and assistance with related issues such as employment, health, mental health, andsubstance abuse. Specific actions that the Continuum has taken toward ending chronichomelessness include: Improvementintheaccuracyoftheunshelteredcount,especiallyinHorryCountywhere the

coastalcommunityofMyrtleBeachhasexperiencedanincreaseinhomelessness.

Continued implementationof theHMIS. HMISdata, coupledwith the improvedcountoftheunshelteredhomeless,willbetterequiptheContinuumtoplanhousing and programs to endchronichomelessness.

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Creatednewpermanentsupportivehousingforchronicallyhomelessdisabledpersons. Awarenessactivities,suchas“HomelessAwarenessWeek”haveattractedtheattentionoflocal

electedofficialsontheissuesofchronichomelessness. Supported applications to HUD to fund supportive services to enable the acquisition and

operationofadditionalpermanentsupportivehousingunits. HelpedconducttheTen‐YearCollaborativePlantoEndHomelessnessinHorryCounty

MosthomelesspersonslivinginHorryCountytendtoeitherdoubleupwithfriendsorfamilyorgravitatetothemorestructuredservicesprovidedprimarilywithintheCityof Myrtle Beach.Althoughmethodologies exist to count the homelesswho takeadvantageofservicesofferedbyvariousagencies,itisachallengetodeterminethetrue number of homeless within HorryCounty. The most accurate assessment of thehomeless population within the County isprovided through bi‐annual point�in�timecounts.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development, in an effort to standardizepoint‐in‐time counts nationwide, mandated that a count of homeless persons and families beconducted in each state every two years. The SC Homeless Coalition, inconjunctionwith theSC Office of Research and Statistics (SCORS), now provides theorganization and planning forrecent point‐in‐time counts. Each member countyappoints a representative who attends twoor more planning and training sessions on how to organize and gather data related tohomelessness. Each county then conducts local planning and training sessions for theirvolunteers that include identification of places/areas where the homeless gather andprocedures for gathering data. Counties generate a list of all agencies and organizations thatprovideshelter,housingorservicesto the homeless – info that is primarily provided throughthe Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Identification of areas where thehomeless gather is accomplished through interviews with homeless persons, shelters,supportive service agencies, government and community entities, law enforcement agencies,churchesandotherassociatedindividualsandagencies.

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Transportation,Education&Training

The lack of accessible and reliable transportation is a major barrier that isdisproportionatelyexperienced by low‐income residents and special populations.Greaterdemandsarealsoplacedontransportationservicesasarearesidents’movefromgovernment assistance programs to theworkplace, with the creation of employmentand job training resources being of little help tothose residents who cannot access them. The occupants of more than 5,900 homes in HorryCounty (5.3% of all homes)lackaccesstoapersonalvehicle. Thelackofreliabletransportationcan greatly impede individual efforts to seek and retain employment, access critical healthcare, obtain support services such as child care, and pursue advanced education and trainingopportunities. However, access to a broad,multi‐modal network of transit options that includereliable and responsive public transit systems and safe and interconnectedpedestrian andbicyclepathwayscanprovidetransportationalternatives forresidentswithoutaccesstopersonalvehicles.

Public Transportation System

Affordable and reliable transportation is a necessity for all residents. However, the lowerincomesand limited access of special needspopulations limits the availabilityofaffordable andreliable transit to maintain employment, receive support services, and accesshealthcareandotherneededprograms.Coastal Rapid Public Transit Authority was founded in May 1983 with the goal ofproviding transportation for residents of and visitors to Horry and Georgetown Counties.CoastalRapidPublicTransitAuthoritybecametheWaccamawRegionalTransportationAuthorityin1997andisnowmarketedtothepublicunderthenameofTheCoastRTA. Inadditiontothefixedrouteservice,theCoastRTAalsoprovidestheParatransitServicea fullycoordinated human service transportation system that includes demand response andsubscriptionservices. Paratransitserviceisforseniorsaged60andolder,as well as individualswithdisabilities or conditions thatprevent them fromusing theCoast RTA fixed route system.Such conditions include disabilities that prevent aresidentfrombeingabletoindependentlyboard,rideorleaveabus,oradisabilityorenvironmental barrier that makes it impossible for aresident to independently travel toandfromafixedroutebusstopTheCitizensAccessibleTransitSystem isaparatransitserviceforpersonswithdisabilities,andisavailable in areas of operation of the Coast RTA fixed route system in Horry and Georgetowncounties. The service is offered to qualified riders during fixed route operation hours. Toqualify, residents must have a doctor certify the disability andmustlivewithinthree‐fourthsofamileof aCoastRTA fixed routebusstop. CATS is a curb‐to‐curb, shared ride transportationservice available on an advanced reservation basis. While there are no restrictions on thepurpose or frequency of reservations,service is provided based on the availability of spaceand time.

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CoastTransitPlusisademand‐responseservicedesignedtoprovidetransportationtoseniorsaged60andolderanddisabledresidentsonaspace‐availablebasis.Thegoalofthe service is toprovide eligible members of the community with the safest, most efficient, effective andeconomical transportation possible. The service is available within Horry and GeorgetownCounties for residents and qualified visitors, with transportation provided to any destinationwithin the Coast RTA service area, including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside,Murrells Inlet, Georgetown, Andrews,Conway,Aynor,LorisandLittleRiver. Firsttimeridersarerequiredtopre‐registerfortheprogram. Transportation services are availableMonday throughFriday from 8 AM until 5 PM, excluding observed holidays and inclement weather.Reservationsfortransportationmust bemade no earlier than ten days in advance and no laterthan48workinghoursbeforetherequestedtimefortransportation.

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Commuting Patterns

According to the 2007‐2011AmericanCommunitySurvey5YearEstimates Census, Horry Countyworkers traveled an averageof justover21minutes to work. Less than 1% of all workersutilizedpublictransportationeachdaywhilejustover1%walkedtoworkonadailybasis.

CommuteTimes

Roughly 82% of Horry County workers travel to work by car, driving alone; while 10.6% ofHorry County drivers participate in carpools. Morethan4,100Countyresidents(3.5%)workedfromhome.

Nearly 108,600 Horry County residents are employed in Horry County. In 2012, more than122,500, o r 3 5 . 1 1% o f t h e c o u n t y ’ s w o r k f o r c e , non‐resident workers traveled intoHorry County to workwhile justover118,500,33.87%, residents traveledoutside the county tofindwork. The largestnumber of commuters into the County was from neighboring Georgetown County,atmore than 4,400 workers, followed by Columbus (2,303workers) & Brunswick (2 ,180) Counties in North Carolina, and adjacent Marion County with 1,831 workers commuting intoHorry County.Almost 7,500 Horry County residents traveled to other counties to work in 2012.GeorgetownCountywasthedestinationforthelargestnumberofHorryCountyworkers at more than 3,600commuters. Marion County, SouthCarolina (876) andBrunswickCounty, NorthCarolina (874)were also significant importers of Horry County workers. The tables below summarizecommutingpatternsofresidentsofHorryCountyandworkersfromnearbycounties.

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Top10PlacesResidentsareCommutingTo

Area Workers

GeorgetownCounty,SC 3,672

MarionCounty,SC 876

BrunswickCounty,NC 874

FlorenceCounty,SC 539

ColumbusCounty,NC 470

CharlestonCounty,SC 263

RichlandCounty,SC 219

MecklenburgCounty,NC 212

NewHanoverCounty,NC 212

DarlingtonCounty,SC 124

DataSource:SCDept.ofEmployment&Workforce,HorryCountyCommunityProfile2012

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Top10PlacesResidentsareCommutingFromArea Workers

GeorgetownCounty,SC 4,440

ColumbusCounty,NC 2,303

BrunswickCounty,NC 2,180

MarionCounty,SC 1,831

FlorenceCounty,SC 561

WilliamsburgCounty,SC 302

RobesonCounty,NC 201

CharlestonCounty,SC 187

DillonCounty,SC 176

MecklenburgCounty,NC 129

DataSource:SCDept.ofEmployment&Workforce,HorryCountyCommunityProfile2012

Training and Education

Education is paramount to achieving higher earnings and an improved quality of life. Theimportance of job‐preparation and training in improving individual and family socio‐economic conditions is clear. But for Horry County residents who are trying to pull out of thecycle of dependence, finding a job with adequate earnings to support a family is a dauntingchallenge. Without access to advanced education and training, lower income and otherdisadvantaged residents can be restricted to less secure, minimum wage jobs with littleopportunity for advancement. However, the myriad of employment and trainingresourcesofferedbyStateandlocalagenciesareoflittleassistancetoresidentswho cannot readily accessthem. Thepersistentbarriersposedbygeography,infrastructure, family responsibilities, lack ofeducational attainment, low income, andworkschedulescanimpedeaccesstohighereducationfor residents who need it most. The provision of learner‐centered access to post‐secondaryopportunities such as thetechnical college system and adult literacy programs rely on supportservices such as quality day care, transportation, and the use of new informationtechnologies for flexible, on‐demand learning alternatives. These supports can significantlyreduce the traditional barriers of time and place and contribute to educational success andparticipationinlifelonglearningopportunitiesformoreresidents.

TheHorryCountySchoolDistrict is the third largest in theState, servingapproximately 39,000students in preschool through Grade 12. The District’s 48 schools include 26 elementary, 11middle and 9 high schools, and two career and technology academies. Additional facilities

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include a Scholars Academy for advanced learners, an Early College High School and analternative school.Enrollment for K‐12 schools in HorryCountyislistedinthetablebelow.

PublicSchoolsandEnrollmentHorryCountySchoolDistrict

Schools EnrollmentElementary(Pre‐Kto5thgrade) 30 19,734

Middle(Grades6‐8) 14 9,233HighSchool(Grades9‐12)&SpecialPrograms 18 11,104

TotalEnrollment 52 40,072

DataSource: Sources:HorryCountySchoolDistrict,2012AnnualDistrictReportCard;SouthCarolinaStateDept.ofEducation45DayStudentCounts2012‐2013

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Post‐Secondary Education Horry Countyisalsohometothreepost‐secondary institutions.CoastalCarolinaUniversity is afour‐year, public institution offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees.Horry‐Georgetown Technical College is a public, two‐year institution offering diplomas,certificates, and associate degree programs, as well as short‐termoccupational training. Inaddition, Webster University, a private institution offeringmaster’sdegreesinbusiness‐orientedfieldsofstudy,islocatedinMyrtleBeach.

Coastal Carolina University (CCU) is a public, predominantly undergraduate, liberal artsinstitution with a current graduate and undergraduate enrollment of approximately 9,335students. Founded in 1954 as an independent, two‐year college,theinstitutionbecameapartoftheUniversityof SouthCarolina (USC) system in1961and awarded its first four‐year degrees in1975. In1993,CCUbecameindependentoftheUSCsystem,butremainsastate‐assisteduniversitywithitsownBoardofTrustees.TheUniversityoffersbaccalaureatedegreesin66fieldsofstudy.Inaddition, Coastal Carolina offers a Master of Business Administration degree, Master ofAccountancy,MasterofScienceinCoastalMarineandWetlandStudies,MasterofArtsinEducation,MasterofEducationinEducationalLeadershipandLearningandTeaching(M.Ed.),andtheMasterofArtsinWriting.CCU serves its immediatefive‐countyareathrougha630‐acremaincampus inConway and at satellite campuses in Myrtle Beach at the Coastal Carolina University HigherEducation Center, at theWaccamawCenterforHigherEducationinLitchfieldandinGeorgetown.

Horry�Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) is a comprehensive two‐yearcommunity/technicalcollegeofferingmorethan80associatedegree,diploma,andcertificateprogramsforstudentswhoareeitherseekingquickentryintotheworkforceordesiringtotransfertoaseniorinstitutiontopursueabachelor'sdegree.Sinceitsfoundingin1966,HorryGeorgetownTechnicalCollegehasprovidedpost‐secondaryvocational, technical, andoccupationalprograms that leaddirectly to securingor continuingemployment; associate degree programs that enable students to gain access to other post‐secondaryeducation;andpersonal interestclasses,programs,andservicesthatmeetthejobtraining, occupational advancement, and lifelong‐learning needs of the residents andemployersinitsservicearea.As a member of the South Carolina Technical College System, HGTC is a public, two‐yeartechnical college, enrolling 7,750 to 9,500 college‐credit‐curriculum students and providingcontinuing‐educationprogramsfor8,000to10,000participantsperyear.HGTCprovidesservicestotheindividualsandemployersofHorryandGeorgetownCounties;certainacademicprogramsserveregional,national,andeveninternationalneeds.TheCollegevaluespartnershipswithbusiness, industry, communityagencies,andothereducationalandgovernmentalinstitutionsthatsupportthegrowthanddevelopmentofthecommunity.Webster University provides additional graduate education opportunity to H o r r y County

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residents through its Myrtle Beach campus.Webster initially established agraduateprogramin1976 toservemilitarypersonnelstationedat theMyrtleBeachAirForce Base. Now servingthe broader community, the University offers a Master ofBusiness Administration and Masterof Arts degrees in Counseling, Human Resources Development, H u m a n R e s o u r c e s M a n a g e m e n t , H e a l t h A d m i n i s t r a t i o n , a n d M a n a g e m e n t & L e a d e r s h i p .

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EvaluationofFairHousingStatus

Complaints and Compliance Reviews Under the South Carolina Fair Housing Law enacted in 1989, it is unlawful to refuse to sell,rent, finance or otherwise make available a dwelling on the basis of race, color,religion, sex,familial status, national origin, or disability. Apartments, houses, manufactured homes andvacant lots to be used for housing are covered by the FairHousing Law. With few exceptions,anyonewhohas control over residential propertyandrealestatefinancingmust adheretotheseregulations.Thisincludesrentalmanagers,propertyowners, realestate agents, landlords,banks,developers, builders,insurers, home inspectors, and individual homeowners who are selling orrentingproperty.The South Carolina Human Affairs Commission (SCHAC) is designated by the USDepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment(HUD)asaSubstantialEquivalentAgencyand assuch, is authorized with similar legal responsibilities in handling fair housing complaints.SCHAC administers the State’s Fair Housing Law, which is equivalent to federal Fair HousingLaw, and has the authority to investigate complaints, subpoena witnesses, issue orders, holdhearings and enforce findings. The jurisdictionof theCommission includesboth thepublic andprivatesectors.TheSCHACiscomprisedoffifteenmembers,withtwomembersfromeachoftheState’ssixCongressionaldistrictsappointedby theGovernorwith theadvice and consentof theState Senate. Three additional at‐large members are appointed by the Governor.Membersserveathree‐yearterm,withnomorethantwoconsecutiveterms.To register a complaint with the SCHAC, the aggrieved party must officially file thecomplaintwithin 180days after thedate of the allegeddiscrimination.Within10daysof the initial filing,the Compliance staff of the Commission investigates the complaintandnotifies theapplicantofthevalidityofthecomplaint. Ifaviolationhasoccurred,aformal complaint form is completed.During this process, every effort is made tomediate and resolve the problem. The primarymechanism used for mediation and resolution of complaints is the Mediation/AlternativeDispute Resolution effort. Thiseffortisavoluntaryprocessdesignedtofacilitatecaseclosurebybringing the parties in dispute together and reaching a mutually acceptable solution. Animpartial party facilitates negotiations – precluding the investigation process and usuallyresulting in both respondent and complainant emerging with a ʺwin‐winʺ solution to theproblem.

Investigations must be completed within 100 days after the filing of a complaint, except in caseswhere overwhelming issues prevent completion of the investigation within that time period. If theSCHAC determines that there are no reasonable grounds for the complaint, the complaint isdismissed. If the determination is that there are reasonablegrounds for the complaint and settlementefforts are unsuccessful, one of the followingoptionsmaybepursued:1. Eitherpartymayelecttohavetheclaimdecidedinacivilaction. IfthisoptionischosentheSCHAC

mustinitiateandmaintainacivilactiononbehalfoftheaggrievedpersonwithin30daysfromthedateofelection.

2. If neither party chooses to elect a civil action, SCHAC refers the charge to the Chairman of theCommissiontodesignateapanelofthreememberstohearthecomplaint.

3. Thecomplainantmay choose to sue the respondent inState court. If thisoption is chosen it is done

attheexpenseof theparticipants,withnoinvolvementbySCHAC.In South Carolina, the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) of the USDepartment of Housing and Urban Development also directly receives and investigates FairHousing complaintsf rom persons who believe that they have been discriminatedagainstbasedonrace,color,nationalorigin,sex,familystatusordisabilitywhentryingto buy or rent a home orapartment. Because aggrieved parties may officially file a complaint with the FHEOwithin 365days after the date of the alleged discrimination, cases filed with the SCHAC that have not beenresolvedwithin180daysof filingarereferredtotheOfficeofFairHousingandEqualOpportunityfor resolution. As with complaints filed with the SCHAC, investigations must be completedwithin 100 daysafter the filing of a complaint, barring overwhelming issues that require alongerinvestigation.Complaints can be made by contacting the South Carolina FHEO fieldofficedirectly, filing the complaint online through the HUD web site (www.hud.gov), orbycallingthededicatedtoll‐freenumberat800‐669‐9777.During the period covered by the initial AI, the City of Myrtle Beach operated a Fair HousingHotlinethatresidentscouldcall tofile complaints related to housing issues;butthishotlineisnolonger in existence. Complaints are now taken through the City’s Community DevelopmentDepartment and forwarded to the SC Human Affairs Commission. The Myrtle Beach HumanAffairs Commission forwards housing complaints to the SC Human Affairs Commission forinvestigation, review and rulings. Citizens who reside both within and outside of theCitymayalsocontacttheSCHumanAffairsCommissiondirectlyonmattersrelatedtofairhousing.TheWaccamawRegionalCouncilofGovernments(WRCOG)alsohadadedicated,toll‐freeFairHousing Hotline available to callers throughout Horry, Georgetown and WilliamsburgCounties, butthishotlinehasbeendiscontinuedduetofundingconstraints.Individualsmayfilecomplaints and obtain information related to fair housing on the WRCOG housing website(www.waccamawhousing.org). WRCOG forwards complaints to theappropriategovernmentalagencies,includingtheSCHumanAffairsCommissionandtheUSHUDFairHousingDivision,aswell as other organizations thatmaybe able to provideassistancesuchastheSCCentersforJustice. In2008,eightcomplaintsweresubmittedthroughtheFairHousingHotline–sixrelatedtohandicapsordisabilities,oneforrace,andoneforacombinationofrace,genderanddisability.

The initial AI looked at SouthCarolina Human Affairs Commission (SCHAC) complaint datafrom 2001 to 2009 andrevealedanumberoffairhousing complaints filedagainstentities inHorryCounty. Atotalof34complaintswere filedbetween filedinHorryCountyfrom2009. Ofthese complaints, 13 alleged racial discrimination, 8 alleged discrimination based on sex(gender), and 4 alleged discrimination based on disability. Two of the complaints allegeddiscrimination on the basis of familial status. Familial status is defined as one or moreindividualswhohavenotattainedtheageofeighteenyearsandaredomiciledwithaparentorlegalguardian;oronesecuringlegalcustodyofachildunder18years;orapregnantwoman.Two complaintswere also filedineachcategorythatincludesbothsexanddisabilityandbothraceandreligion.There was one complaint alleging discrimination filed in each of thefollowingcategories–nationalorigin,bothraceanddisability,andacombinationofsex,nationaloriginanddisability.Fourteen (14) of the complaints filed in Horry County during the eight‐year periodcoveredbytheinitialAIwere resolved through conciliation. Conciliation is reachedwhenboth parties cometo a mutual understanding or when a settlement is negotiated. Nineteen (19) of thecomplaints were determined by the Commission to have no cause and one case wasdismissed. Of the 13 complaints based on race, 46% (6 complaints) were resolved throughconciliation and 7 complaints (54%) were determined to be without cause. Half of the 8complaintsbasedonsexwereconciliated,with4determinedtobewithoutcause. Three‐fourthsofthecomplaintsfiledbasedondisabilitywerewithoutcauseandonewasconciliated.ComplaintdatafromJanuary1,2010toSeptember23,2013issummarizedinthetablebelow.A total of 17 complaintswere filedinHorryCountyin the four year period covered by thisupdatedAI. Ofthesecomplaints,4allegedracialdiscrimination,1alleged discrimination basedon sex (gender), and 8 alleged discrimination based on disability. One of the 8 disabilityclaimsalsolistedretaliationasabasis. Oneofthecomplaintsallegeddiscriminationonthebasisoffamilialstatus.Familial status isdefinedasoneormore individualswhohavenotattainedtheageofeighteenyearsandaredomiciledwithaparentorlegalguardian;oronesecuringlegalcustodyofachildunder18years;orapregnantwoman.Threecomplaintswerealsofiledthatclaimedbothraceandsexasthebasisofthediscrimination.

FAIR HOUSING CASES FILED FROM HORRY COUNTY 01/01/2010 – 09/23/2013 SHAC NUMBER BASIS TYPE OF CLOSURE DATE OF

CLOSURE AGE AT CLOSURE

(Days)

H‐4‐09‐002 Race/Sex No cause 1‐13‐2010 99


H‐1‐10‐014 Sex No cause 10‐26‐2010 242

H‐1‐10‐022 Race No cause 5‐18‐2010 60


H‐1‐11‐003 Race No cause 6‐16‐2011 143

H‐1‐11‐010 Handicap Conciliation/settlement 3‐15‐2012 194

H‐3‐11‐16 Handicap Complaint withdrawn 11‐17‐2011 71


H‐4‐11‐003 Race No cause 1‐25‐2012 99

H‐2‐12‐009 Race No cause 8‐22‐2012 106

H‐2‐12‐012 Handicap Complaint failed to cooperate

7‐9‐2012 48

H‐2‐12‐018 Handicap/Retaliation Conciliation/settlement 3‐29‐2013 256


H‐4‐12‐005 Handicap Complaint withdrawn 4‐26‐2013 186

H‐4‐12‐009 Handicap Cause /court pending 6‐28‐13 198

H‐4‐12‐006 Familial status Complaint failed to cooperate

3‐27‐2013 50

Four of the complaints filed in Horry County during the four‐year period covered by thisupdatedAIwereresolvedthroughconciliation. Conciliation isreachedwhenbothpartiescometoa mutual understanding or when a settlement is negotiated. Eight(8) of thecomplaints weredetermined by the Commission to have no cause and one case was dismissed. Two of thecomplaintswerewithdrawn,andtwoofthecomplaintswereclosedbecausethecomplainantfailedto cooperate. Finally, one complaint’s closure status is listed as “court pending.” Of the fourcomplaints based on race, all of them were determined by SCHAC to be without cause. The onecomplaintbasedonsexwasalsodeterminedtobewithoutcause.Fouroftheeightclaimsbasedondisabilitywere resolved through conciliation, twowerewithdrawn, one casewas closed based oncomplainantnoncooperation,andtheremainingcase ispendingcourt.Thethreecasesthathadthedualbasisofrace/sexwerealldeterminedtobewithoutcause.

Data provided by the HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity lists tencomplaintsfiled in Horry County from FY 2001‐2002 to FY 2008‐2009. Five of the complaints allegeddiscrimination on the basis of race, three on the basis of disability, one on the basis of bothdisabilityandfamilialstatus,andoneonthebasisofraceanddisability. Sixofthecomplaints(60%ofallcomplaintsfiled)wereconciliated,includingtwofiledonthebasisofraceaswellasallthreeofthecomplaintsfiledonthebasis of disability and one filed on the basis of disability and familialstatus. The case filed on the basis of a combination of race and disabilitywas determined to bewithout cause. One case filed on the basis of racewas closedbecause the complainant failed tocooperate with the investigation. Another complaint based on race was found to bewithoutcauseandwasdismissed. A case filedon thebasisof race thatalso involvedaccommodation forahandicappedpersonremainsunder investigation.

HUDFHEOFairHousingComplaintsFiledFromHorryCounty,FY2001�2002toFY2008�2009

ComplaintType&Action

Disability,FamilialStatus

Race,Disability

TotalFiled 3 5 1 1 10Resolution

NoCause 1 1Conciliation 3 2 1 6Closed 1 1Dismissed 1 1Under 1 1

Source:HUDOfficeofFairHousingandEqualOpportunity,2006andNovember2009.

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Discrimination Suits Officials from the SCHumanAffairs Commission and theHUDOffice of FairHousingand EqualOpportunity inSouthCarolinaboth indicatethattherewereno fairhousingdiscrimination suitsfiled in Horry County by the Department of Justice or private plaintiffs fromFY2001‐2002through FY2008‐2009. Continuing in the same trend from the original AI, there were no fairhousingdiscriminationsuitsfiledinHorryCountyfrom2010tothewritingofthisupdatedAIinSeptember2013. Bothorganizationsaretaskedwithworkingtoensureresolutionofcomplaintsbeforetheyresultinlawsuits.

Associated Housing Concerns and Problems Agencies and organizations whose constituencies need fair housing options are a valuableresource in determining impediments to fair housing choice. Horry County sponsored adiscussion forum on issues related to Fair Housing Choice on October 1,2009. The forumwasheld at the CountyAdministrationBuilding in Conway andwasopentoanyinterestedcitizenoragency,withmore than300 invitationssentdirectly to local and regional providers serving thementally ill, abusedwomen and children,veterans, the homeless, families in crisis, the elderly,public assistance recipients, the disabled, andminority populations. Announcementswere alsodistributed to local governments, local financial institutions, affordable housing developers inHorry County, and interested individuals. Nearly 30 representatives from 23 serviceorganizations, financial institutions, public housing authorities and area jurisdictionsattendedthe forum. The stakeholder forum provided an introduction to the fairhousingconceptandtheprocessofdevelopinganAnalysis of Impediments to FairHousingChoice.Alsoincludedwas anopendiscussion of fair housing and related issuesin Horry County. Each organizationrepresentative or individual in attendance wasasked tocompleteabriefquestionnaireaboutfair housing and related issues. Inaddition,25agencies thatwerenotabletoattendtheForumwerecontactedandcompleted the questionnaire during the interview. Representatives wereasked toidentify both perceived and documented impediments to affordable housing and fairhousingchoicefortheirspecificconstituencies.Theresponsesreceivedonthequestionnaires,inthefollowupinterviews,andthroughtheopendiscussion at the community forum, are summarized in the bulleted items that follow. Severalcommonthemesandkeyneedswereidentifiedthatinclude: Additional support, services and activities related to the provision of fair housing are

needed, includinga fairhousingordinanceforHorryCounty.

Service providers note impediments to fair housing choice in finding and rentingaffordable housing for persons with disabilities and Hispanics. Language barriers arealsoimpedimentstofairhousingchoice.

Incentives from the County and municipalities, such as fee reductions and zoning

incentives, are needed to encourage the development and construction of affordablehousing.

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Exclusionary zoning ordinances in Surfside Beach and Briarcliffe Acres impact the

provisionoffairandaffordablehousinginthoseareas. Financial literacyandanunderstandingof rights and responsibilitiesarevital tohelping

residents obtain and retain safe and adequate housing and in eventuallybecoming self‐sufficient andperhapspurchasing a home. Education in the areas oftheresponsibilitiesandrightsof rentersandhomeowners, fairhousing, building good credit, budgeting fordown payments, insurance requirements,andconsumer loans isneeded,particularly foryoungadults.

Education is needed for builders and developers on funding programs available forthe

developmentandconstructionofaffordablehousing. Accesstoreliablepublictransitremainsabarrierformanyruralresidentsinoutlyingareas

of Horry County to access jobs and services provided in areas other than the coastalcommunities.

Thelimitedavailabilityandreliabilityofpublictransitformanyresidentsimpedesreliableaccesstoemploymentcenters,childcare,andhealthandsocialservices. Thisisparticularlytrueinmoreruralareas,whereworkersarecommutinglongerdistancestotheirjobsinmoreurbanareasfromtheirhomesinmoreaffordableruralareas.

Earningsareoftentoolowtoaffordhousingforminimumwageworkerswhoarenot

eligibleforhousingassistance. LandcostsinHorryCountyareprohibitivetotheconstructionanddevelopmentof

affordablehousing. Programsandinitiativestoreducelandcostsforaffordablehousingdevelopmentareneeded.

The term “affordable housing” is often used to describe developments that may be

comparatively lessexpensive thanotherdevelopments in thearea,butdonotmeetthetruemeaningofaffordablehousingandarenotaffordabletomostLMIresidents.

Thereisashortageofclean,safeandaffordablehousinginHorryCounty,

particularlyaffordablerentalhousing. More affordable multi‐family rental housing is needed in the outlying areas of the

CountysuchasLoris,GreenSea,Aynor,andtheoutskirtsofMyrtleBeachandConway. Manyaffordablehousingunitsaresubstandardanddeteriorating,andareinneedof

repairtobesafeforhabitation. MuchofthemoreaffordablehousingintheCountyislocatedinmoreruralareas,far

fromemploymentandessentialservicesandnotservedbypublictransportation.

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Additionalfundingisneededforaffordablerentalhousing. Dedicatedlocalfunding

shouldbeinvestedinahousingtrustfundforthedevelopmentofaffordablehousing. Affordable,decenthousingthatisaccessiblefordisabledresidentsisneeded.

Accessibilityforresidentswithdisabilitiesinexistingaffordablehousingneeds

tobe improved. ThereisaneedformorepropertiesavailabletoresidentswithSection8vouchers.

WaitinglistsforSection8housingvouchersandpublichousingareverylong.

Rentalassistanceisneededformanymorepersonsandfamiliesinneed. HighhousingandlandcostsinHorryCountyposeagrowingchallengefortheworking

poorandminimumwageearnerstolocatesafe,clean,affordableandconvenienthous ing .

Speculatorsoftenbuyuplowerpriced“bargain”housing,inanticipationofsellingata

higherpricelater–takingalotofpotentiallyaffordableunitsoutofthehousing market. Obtainingcleartitlestoheir’spropertycanbeverydifficult.Withoutacleartitle,heirs

cannotleveragetheirpropertytoobtainamortgage,purchaseamanufacturedhome,orrefinance.

Creditratingsandinsurancecostsaresignificantbarrierstoobtainingfinancingforhome

purchaseorrefinancing. Obtainingfinancingisdifficultforpersonsatlowerincomelevels,particularlywiththe

recenttighteningoflendingrequirementsbyfinancialinstitutions. Downpaymentassistanceisneededforpotentialhomebuyers.Alocalhousingtrustfund

canprovidefundingsupportfordown‐paymentassistanceprograms.

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Public&Non‐ProfitSectorFairHousingPrograms&ActivitiesAn integral component in the provision of fair housing is support – whether it isprovidedbyortopublicandprivateentities. Support takesmanyforms,butthemosttangible is financialassistance.Muchof the fundingsupport for fairhousing inHorryCounty isprovideddirectlybyStateagenciesthatreceivemostoftheirfundingfromthe federalgovernment throughgrantandloan programs. The major grant, loan, andsubsidy programs currently used to promote fairhousing opportunities include local programs – such as entitlement community initiatives,housing authorities, and taxincrement financing districts – as well as larger federal and stateprograms such asCommunityDevelopment Block Grants, Section 8, Emergency Shelter Grants,andhousingtaxcredits.

Federal and State Grant and Loan Programs

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Division of CommunityPlanningandDevelopment (CPD)awardsmore than$20milliondollarsannually to theStateofSouth Carolina for a number of housing and community development programs. These federalprograms help to address the affordable housing and community improvement needs ofprimarily low and moderate income persons. Many of the HUD‐CPD programs arespecifically designed to assist the State’s low income renters and homeowners, at‐riskhouseholds, special needs populations such as the elderly, disabled residents, and homelessfamiliesand individuals. TheHUDformula programs include: Community Development BlockGrant (CDBG), HOMEInvestmentPartnerships,HearthEmergencySolutionsGrants(HESG),andHousingOpportunities for Persons with Aids (HOPWA).Additional programs include: HOPEVI,Youthbuild, Shelter Plus Care, Supportive Housing Program (SHP), Housing Choice(Section8)RentalCertificateProgram,Section811SupportiveHousingforPersonswithDisabilities, Section202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly, Housing Choice Section 8 Moderate RehabilitationSingle Room Occupancy Program for Homeless Individuals (Section 8 SRO), and Self‐HelpHomeownershipOpportunityProgram(SHOP).

CommunityDevelopmentBlockGrant(CDBG)–TheCommunityDevelopmentBlockGrant(CDBG)Program is the primary program for promoting community revitalization. CDBGprovides annual grants on a formula basis tomore than 900metropolitancitiesandurbancountiesknownasentitlementrecipients.Inaddition,itprovides formula‐basedgrantstoall50states andPuertoRico fordistribution tosmaller, non‐entitlement communities. Allocations forboth entitlement and state programs are made using a formula that considers the factors ofpopulation,poverty,overcrowdedhousing,ageof housing, and growth.

CDBG funds may be used for a wide range of community development activities directedtoward neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and improvedcommunity facilitiesand services. Eligible activities under CDBG funding include: real property acquisition;acquisition and construction of public works and community facilities; code enforcement;relocation assistance; reconstruction and rehabilitation of residential and nonresidentialproperties; provision of publicservicessuchasemployment,crimeprevention,childcare,health,

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drugabuseprevention treatment, education, and fair housing counseling; provision of specialeconomic development assistance; funding community‐based organizations in neighborhoodrevitalization, community economic development, and energy conservation projects;home‐ownership assistance; fair housing; and planning and administrative costs to includeactions to affirmatively further fair housing. Each activity must meet one of three nationalCDBG objectives to: 1) Benefit low andmoderate income persons (primary objective); 2) Aidin the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; and 3) Meet other communitydevelopment needsthat presentaseriousandimmediate threatto thehealthor welfareofthecommunity. Over a one‐to‐three year period, at least 70% of the funds spent by agranteemustbedirectedtoactivitiesthatbenefitlowandmoderateincomepersons.

Entitlementgranteesmustbe:principalcitiesofMetropolitanStatisticalAreas;othermetropolitancitieswithpopulationsofatleast50,000;andqualifiedurbancountieswith populations of at least200,000 – excluding the population of entitled cities. These jurisdictions receive separateallocations to administer communitydevelopment programs. Grants are provided on an annualformula basis to entitlement cities and counties to carry out a wide range of communitydevelopment activities directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods, promoting economicdevelopmentandprovidingimprovedcommunityfacilitiesandservices.Entitlementcommunitiesdeveloptheirownprogramsand fundingpriorities.

AnIntergovernmentalAgreementbetweenHorryCounty,theCityofConway,andtheCityofMyrtleBeachwasexecutedonOctober1,2013inordertomaximizetheamountofcountywideCommunity Development Block Grant funding and to proportionately allocate the benefits.Under this agreement, Horry County’s percentage of allocation is 54%, Myrtle Beach’spercentageofallocationis29%,andtheCityofConway’sallocationis17%.BothMyrtleBeachandConwayareconsideredSubrecipientsoftheHorryCountyEntitlementGrant. The2013‐2014 CDBG allocation fromHUDwas $2,277,074. In all cases, 100%of the CDBG funds gotowardlow‐tomoderateincomeareasand/orresidents.

The Horry County Community Development and Grants Department is the lead agencyresponsible for preparing the Consolidated Plan. As an Urban Entitlement County, HorryCounty administers Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the HearthEmergency Solutions Grant (HESG) funding from the US Department of Housing and UrbanDevelopment (HUD). As the lead agency, the County plays an oversight role in helping allunincorporatedareasinadministeringtheprogramscoveredbytheConsolidatedPlan.

Public Housing Assistance Funds – The Public Housing Operating Fund providesoperatingsubsidies to housing authorities to assist in funding the on‐going operation and maintenanceexpenses of authority‐owned units. The subsidies are required to help maintain services andprovide minimum operating reserves. Publichousing is intended to provide decent and saferental housing for eligible low‐incomefamilies,theelderly,andpersonswithdisabilities.Public housing is limited to low‐income families and individuals. An authority determinesapplicanteligibilitybasedon:1)annualgross income;2)applicantqualificationas elderly, havingadisability,orasa family;and3)UScitizenshiporeligibleimmigrationstatus.Rentfortenantsofpublichousing,whichisreferredtoastheTotalTenantPayment(TTP)inthisprogram,isbasedonthefamily’santicipated gross annual incomeminus deductions, if any.

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HUD regulations allowauthorities toexclude fromannual income the followingallowances: $480for each dependent; $400 for any elderly family, or a person with a disability; and somemedical deductions for families headed by an elderly person or a person with disabilities.Annual income is theanticipated total income fromall sources receivedfromthefamilyheadandspouse,andeachadditionalmemberofthefamily18yearsofageorolder.TherearetwohousingauthoritiescurrentlyservingcommunitiesinHorryCounty:

The Housing Authority of Conway is a local agency that was created in the early 1970s toassistlow‐incomefamiliesinobtainingdecent,safeandsanitaryhousingatanaffordablecost.TheAuthority’s service area includes the City of Conway and much of the unincorporated area ofHorry County, excluding the Myrtle Beach Housing Authority service area. In addition tomanagement ofpublic housing developments, theAuthority also administers theHousingChoice(Section8)voucherprogramintheirservice area.TheMyrtle BeachHousing Authority (MBHA) is a local public agency created byresolutionoftheCityofMyrtleBeachin1986. TheMBHAserviceareacoverstheeasternthirdofHorryCounty,primarily east of theWaterway, and includes the City of Myrtle Beach and surrounding urbanarea. TheAuthorityoffers aFamily Self‐Sufficiency (FSS) program designed tohelp low‐incomefamilies attain a better standard of living while promoting self‐sufficiency. The MBHA alsoadministerstheHUDHousingChoiceVoucherHomeownershipProgramand recently purchasedthe Halyard Bend Apartments. Inaddition,theAuthorityistheleadagencyforthe Horry CountyNeighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) Partnership and,inthepast,implemented the ARRAHomeless Prevention and Rapid Re‐housing Program for Horry County. The MBHA alsoadministerstheHousingChoice(Section8)Rental Assistance Program. Theauthorityprovideshousingassistance forVeteransand their familiesviatheVeteranSupportiveHousingvouchers.Additionally, the Supportive Housing and Shelter Plus Care Grants, and HOME Tenant BasedRentalAssistanceprogramsareadministeredbyMBHA.Housing Choice (Section 8) Voucher Program – The Housing Choice Voucher Program(formerly known as Section 8) provides rent subsidies to low and very low incomehouseholds.Housing Choice is funded by HUD and administered in South Carolina by the State HousingFinance and Development Authority (SCSHFDA). TheAuthority invests more than $9 million inHUD Housing Choice funds annually andhelps more than 2,000 very low‐income householdsto live in safe, decent and affordable housing. The Housing Choice voucher program forHorry County is administered by two programs – the Housing Authority of Conway and theMyrtleBeach Housing Authority.Housing Choice is not an entitlement program, nor an emergency housing assistance or publichousing program. Participants apply for admission into the program andareplacedonawaitinglist. Waiting lists vary in length, with eligible applicants insomeareashavingtowaitmorethanfiveyears forhousingassistance. Assistance isoffered on a first‐come, first‐served basis withpriority given to lower incomeelderly,disabled,orveterans.

Housing Choice (Section 8) subsidies are provided in twomajor categories – tenant‐ based andproject‐based subsidies. In the tenant‐based category the programprovidesapaymentsubsidy

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to eligible households to assist them in affording housing in the private rental market. Thistenant‐based assistance program allows families the flexibility to selectwhere theywant to live.Participating families can relocate within the United States and retain their Housing Choiceassistance. Project‐based assistance programs promote the development of new affordablehousing units, providing rental subsidies for units instead of families, with families benefitingfrom subsidies only while they live in subsidized units. Other Section 8 funding programsavailable for affordable housing include the Moderate Rehabilitation and HomeownershipVoucher programs.Continuum of Care � Supportive Housing Program – HUD’s Continuum of Care homelessassistance program is a comprehensive approach to assisting individuals and families inmoving from homelessness to independence and self‐sufficiency.Understanding that homelesspeople have varying needs, a continuum of care provides a coordinated range of servicesallowing individuals to move from emergency shelter to transitional housing and then topermanent housing.Alongtheway, individuals inneedof counselingandsupportiveservices, jobtraining,andothersupportivesocialservicesareprovidedtheseopportunitiessothatrootcausesofhomelessness are addressed. Funding for continuum of care applications isprovided throughthree competitive programs – the Supportive Housing Program(SHP), Single Room Occupancy(SRO) program; and Shelter Plus Care (S+C). Inadditionto theprograms in theSuperNoticeofFunding Availability (Super NOFA), a continuum of care is also supported through the HearthEmergencySolutionsGrant(HESG)formulagrantprogram.

The purpose of the Supportive Housing Program (SHP) is to promote the development ofsupportive housing and supportive services, including innovative approaches toassist homelesspersons in the transition from homelessness and to promote the provision of supportivehousing to homeless persons to enable them to live asindependently as possible. SHP fundsstates, local governments, government agencies such as housing authorities, and nonprofitorganizationsthatprovidehousingandsupportiveservicesforthehomeless.HOME Investment Partnerships ‐ The HOME Investment Partnership program affirms thenational commitment to provide decent, safe and affordable housing to all Americans and toalleviatetheproblemsofexcessiverentburdens,homelessness, and deteriorating housing stock.HOME provides funds and general guidance to state and local governments to developaffordable housing strategies to addresslocal needs and conditions.HOME strives to meet boththe short‐term goal of increasing the supply and availability of affordable housing and thelong‐term goal of building partnerships between state and local governments and private andnonprofit housing providers. The funds may be used for tenant‐based rental assistance,homebuyer’s assistance, property acquisition, new construction, rehabilitation, demolition,relocation, site improvements, and administrative costs. All HOME based housing and rentalassistance must be targeted to low‐incomefamilies and fundsmaynotbeused tomatchotherfederal programs. Jurisdictions must reserve 15% of their HOME funds for housing that isdeveloped, sponsored, or owned by Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO).A CHDO isa private, community‐based nonprofit that has among its purposes the provision ofdecent, affordable housing for low‐income persons. In 2009, the certified Community HousingDevelopment Organizations in Horry County included Home Alliance, Inc. in Myrtle Beach andGrandStrandHousing,Inc.inMyrtleBeach.

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Waccamaw Regional HOME Consortium – The Waccamaw HOME Consortium is a regionalentity created as a local conduit for federal funding to supportaffordablehousingdevelopment.ThemissionoftheConsortiumistoassistnon‐profit, for‐profit, and local units of government toconstruct a full spectrum of affordably priced housing. To accomplish this mission, theConsortium was granted HOME Investment Partnership funds through the US Department ofHousing and Urban Development (HUD). Jurisdictions within the Waccamaw Region haveentered into an intergovernmental agreement that created theWaccamawHOME InvestmentPartnership Consortium. Home Consortium partners include Georgetown, Horry andWilliamsburg Counties, as well as all municipalities within these counties. The regionalConsortium receives a yearly entitlement from the federally‐funded HOME Program (HOMEInvestment Partnership Program) through the Department ofHousing and Urban Development.Technical assistance is provided for projects that increase affordable housing opportunitieswithin the Waccamaw Region.GeorgetownCounty serves as the lead agency for theConsortiumandtheWaccamawRegionalCouncilofGovernmentsadministerstheprogram.The South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority (SCSHFDA) hasadministered the HOME program on behalf of the State since the program’sinception in 1992.The Authority’s goal is to promote partnerships among banking institutions, municipalities, andnonprofit and for‐profit organizations with the objectives of raising awareness of the HOMEprogramandincreasinghousingquality and capacity statewide. Recipients are allowed to selecteligible activities basedon their respectivehousingneedsprovided theseactivitiesare consistentwith the priorities and needs of the State Consolidated Plan. Eligible activities include newconstruction and rehabilitation of existing rental units and homeownership assistance thatprovides borrowers with an opportunity for homeownership thatmaynot be available throughconventionalmeans.

Hearth Emergency Solutions Grants (HESG) – The Emergency Shelter Grant program isadministered in South Carolina through the Division of Economic Opportunity of the Office ofthe Governor. Eligible activities include: renovation, rehabilitation or conversion of facilities foremergency homeless shelters; provision of social services to shelter populations; operationalexpenses forshelters;homelessprevention initiatives; and staffing for shelters. Most grantsare awarded to local non‐profitorganizationss e r v i n g t h e h ome l e s s .HorryCountyreceivedanHESGgrantof$135,441in2013forsupportive/preventativeservicesandoperationalexpenses.

HousingOpportunities forPersonswithAIDS (HOPWA) – TheHOPWAprogram isdesignedtoprovidehousingassistanceandsupportiveservicesforlow‐incomepeoplewithHIV/AIDSandtheir families. HOPWA has been successful in helpingorganizationsworkwith individualswithHIV/AIDS and their families to deal with crisis management, illness, and the depletion offinances. Fundingmay be used forarangeofactivities including:housing informationservices;resource identification; project or tenant‐based rental assistance; short term rent, mortgage,

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and utility payments to prevent homelessness; housing and development operations; andsupportive services.Project sponsors in South Carolina provide short‐term rent,mortgageandutilitypaymentsforpersonswithHIV/AIDSandtheirfamilies.The South Carolina HOPWA program is administered by the STD/HIV Branch of the SCDepartment of Health and Environmental Control. HOPWA funding hasbeen awarded on anannual basis to CARETEAM, Inc. to provide services to lowincome residents with HIV/AIDSand their families in Horry, Georgetown andWilliamsburg Counties.

Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) – The purpose of the NSP is to acquire andredevelop foreclosed properties that might otherwise become sources of abandonment andblight within their communities. The NSP provides grants to purchase foreclosed orabandonedpropertiesandtorehabilitate,resell,orredevelopthesepropertiesinordertostabilizeneighborhoods and stem the decline of house values of neighboring homes. The SCSHFDAadministers the NSP program statewide. The Myrtle Beach Housing Authority is the leadagency for the Horry County Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) Partnership, andreceived $2.5millioninNSPfundingin2008.

Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC) – The Low IncomeHousing TaxCreditProgramwas established by the TaxReformActof1986, in which Congressmandatedthattaxcredits be allocated by a state housing credit agency. The Tax Credit Program is designed toprovide an incentive to owners developingmulti‐family rental housing. Developments that mayqualifyforcreditsincludenewconstruction, acquisitionwith rehabilitation, and rehabilitation andadaptive reuse. Owners of and investors in qualifying developments can use the credit as adollar‐for‐dollarreductionoffederalincometaxliability. Allocationsofcreditsareusedtoleveragepublic, private and other funds in order to keep rents affordable. Individuals, partnerships,corporations, for‐profit and nonprofit organizations, and other legal entities are eligible for taxcredits.The mission of the USDepartment ofAgriculture (USDA)RuralDevelopment is to improvethe economyandqualityof life in ruralAmerica.TheUSDA financialprograms support essentialpublic facilities and services such as water and sewer systems, housing, health clinics,emergencyservice facilitiesandelectricand telephoneservice. Rural housing is a major part ofthe USDA Rural Development mission areaand as such, the program is committed to assistingfamilies and individuals in South Carolina with their needs for decent, safe, sanitary, andaffordable housing. Single Family Housing (SFH) programs administered by the USDA offerhomeownership and home improvement loans as well as grants for individuals and/orfamilies in rural areas. USDA Multi‐Family Housing (MFH) programs include Rural RentalHousing (RRH), Direct and Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing (GRRH) Loans, RentalAssistance, Farm Labor Housing (LH) Loans and Grants, andHousing Preservation Grants(HPG).Housing programs offered by USDA RuralDevelopmentinclude:

Section 502 Program‐Insured is a single‐family housing direct loan program that

provides opportunities for very low income and low income families and individuals topurchase construct or rehabilitate their own homes with a direct loan from RuralDevelopment. The homeowner’s monthly mortgage payment is basedonincome.

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Section 502 Program‐Guaranteed is a program that provides loan guarantees tolenders. Lenders may approve loans up to 100% of the appraised value formoderateincomeapplicants.Anapprovedlenderoriginatesthe loanandtheagencyguarantees90%ofthemortgage.

Section 504 Program‐Insured Loans and Grants assist qualified very low income

homeowners inmaking repairs to improve ormodernize their homes, tomake theirhomessafer and sanitary or to remove health and safety hazards. Grants are available forrepairs that remove health or safety hazards to qualified applicantswhoare62yearsofageorolder.

Technical Assistance Grants are targeted for self‐help housing for public or non‐profit

groups. Eligible applicants must show a need for self‐help housing, the professionalexpertisetosuperviseaproject,andlackoffunding.

Section 515 Program loans are made to individuals, partnerships, non‐profit

corporations, state and local public agencies, and associations to develop multi‐ familyhousing complexes in rural communities. These r u r a l r e n t a l h o u s i n g complexesprovide eligible persons in low and moderate income categories andsenior citizens 62years of age or olderwith rental housing suited to their livingrequirements.

Section 521 Rental Assistance Program makes Section 515 housing available totenantswhocannotaffordmarketrents. TheUSDAprovidesassistancethroughtheseparatelyappropriated Section 521 Rental Assistance Program, which lowers rent to 30%oftheiradjustedincomesandcoversthedifferencetothelandlord.

Section 533 Housing Preservation Grants provide funds to eligible applicants to

conduct housing preservation programs benefiting very low income and low incomeruralresidents. An eligible applicant can be a state, county, town, or public non‐ ProfitCorporationauthorizedtoreceiveandadministerHPGfunds.Theassistanceisusedtoreducethecostofrepairandrehabilitation,removeorcorrecthealthorsafety hazards, comply withapplicable development standards or codes, or makeneededrepairstoimprovethegenerallivingconditions.

Section 538 Rural Rental Housing Guaranteed Loan Program guarantees loans fordevelopersofaffordablerentalhousing.Theprogrammaybeusedtobuildhousingfor verylow income, low income, and moderate income persons, but units fundedsince1997servemainlyresidentswithlowandmoderateincomes.

Section 516 Farm Labor Loans and Grants provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing fordomesticfarmlaborinareaswhereaneedforfarmlaborexists.

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Multi‐familyTaxExemptBondFinancingProgram – SC StateHousing’sMultifamilyExempt Bond Financing Program provides permanent real estate financingthrough the sale of its tax exempt revenue bonds. Developments must bededicatedmultifamilyrentaloccupancybylowtomoderateincometenants.

South Carolina Housing Trust Fund – The South Carolina Housing Trust Fund providesfinancial assistance for thedevelopment, rehabilitation, and acquisition ofaffordable housing forlow income and very low income households. The TrustFunddoesnotmake funding awardsdirectly to individuals, but instead works through a network of partners, including localgovernments and non‐profits. Applications are accepted for activities including non‐profitparticipation, emergency repair, owner ‐occupied r ehab i l i t a t i on , h omeowne r sh i p a cqu i s i t i on , group homes, supportive housing and rental housing. The Housing Trust Fundwas established by the Legislature in 1992 as the first legislation in South Carolina to commitrevenues to the development of affordable housing. Proceeds from thedocumentarystamptax–throughanincreaseoftwentycentsper$500onrealestatesold–areearmarkedfortheTrustFund.BecausetheHousingTrustFundisdirectlytied to the real estate market, housing market declinesdirectly impact availablefunds. The US Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees home loans to veterans for site built andmanufacturedhousingthroughtheSouthCarolinaoffice.HomeLoansaremadebyprivatelendersandcanbeusedforthepurchaseorconstructionofahome,repairorimprovement of a home, orrefinancing of a home. TheManufactured Home Loans arealsomadebyprivatelendersandcanbeusedforthepurchaseofamanufacturedhomeandassociated lot, tomakerepairs toahomeorres ident ia l lotalreadyowned, or to refinanceamanufacturedhome. Modularhomescannotbepurchased through this program. Forbothloanprograms,thehomemustbetheprimaryplaceofresidencefortheveteran.

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Local Housing Programs

Community Development Corporations (CDCs) are community‐based, non‐profitorganizations created for the purpose of developing and improving low‐incomecommunities and neighborhoods through economic and related development. CDCs have aprimary function of developing projects and designing activities to enhance economicopportunities of the people in the community served, including efforts to enable them tobecome owners and managers of small businesses and producers of affordable housing andjobs.

Grand Strand Housing and Community Development Corporation (GSH) wasfoundedbytheMyrtle BeachHousing Authority and the City ofMyrtle Beach as anonprofitcorporation in1990 to address issues related to affordable housing. GSHwas established for thepurposes ofstudy and analysis of characteristics and trends of affordable housing and special needspopulations; obtaining and administering private and public funding to provide affordablehousing and housing for special needs populations; seeking partnerships and alliances withpublic and private groups to create affordable housing; and acquiring, developing,renovating,operating andmaintaining permanent, transitional and temporary housing facilitiesfor low income and special needs populations within its area of operation. A number ofhousing projects and programs targeting persons with low incomes or special needs havebeen developed through Grand Strand Housing and Community Development Corporationsince its inception. GSH also offers an Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Project and EmergencyRepair Program for Horry and Georgetown Counties and the City of Myrtle Beach inpartnershipwiththeCityofMyrtleBeachandMBHA.

Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council – The Council was chartered as a CommunityActionAgency inDecember 1965 to serveHorry andGeorgetownCounties. Tax‐exempt statuswas established in March 1966 and the service areawas expanded to include WilliamsburgCounty in 1974. The Council’smission is toensure self‐sufficiency for each client by providingquality programs and services,coupledwith strong advocacy. Among the services provided bythe Council is theCommunityServicesBlockGrant (CSBG). CSBG is a federally‐fundedprogramthat provides direct assistance and case management to encourage and maintain self‐sufficiency through services including employment and housing, general emergencyassistance,and youth employment. The agency also administers the federally‐ funded Low IncomeHome Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that provides emergency and non‐emergencyhouseholdenergyassistanceaswellasthefederally‐funded WeatherizationAssistanceProgramthat provides assistance in reducing household energy consumption by applying energyconservationmeasures.

Additional housing programs are provided through non‐profit organizations includingcommunity action agencies, faith‐based organizations and non‐profit organizations such asHabitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity of Horry County is a locally run affiliate ofHabitat for Humanity International – a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry thatseeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness and to make decent shelter a matter ofconscience and action.Through volunteer labor and donations ofmoney andmaterials, Habitatbuilds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with thehelp of the homeowner families whoare viewed as partners in the process. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at noprofit and no interest. The homeownersʹ monthly mortgage payments are used to build

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additional Habitat homes. In addition to a down‐payment and monthly mortgage payments,homeowners are required to invest hundreds of hours of labor into building not only theirHabitathouse,butthehomesofothers.

City of Conway Tax Increment Financing District – In 1995, a Tax IncrementFinancing(TIF)districtwasestablishedintheCityofConwaytohelpfinancepublicimprovementswithinadeclining area concentrated between US Highways 701, 378and501. TIFs are used toprovidepublicinvestmentinareassufferingfromblightand limited private investment.The goal of theTIF is to finance public infrastructure improvements that will ultimately attract newinvestment to thetargetedarea. FinancingfortheConwayTIFwasaccomplishedbythesaleofbonds by the City, with the proceeds from the sale earmarked for reinvestment in publicimprovementswithin the district. Within the TIF district, taxes are frozen for aspecificperiodoftime,duringwhichthetax“increment”oradditionaltaxesgeneratedwithinthedistrictwillbeplacedintoaspecialrevenuefundandusedtoretirethebond.

Affordable/WorkforceHousingCommissionofHorryCounty–TheHorryCountyCouncilestablishedtheAffordable/WorkforceHousingCommittee inJanuary2007byformalresolutionwithachargeto:

1. Developguidelinesandstandardsforaddressingaffordablehousingwithin theCounty;2. Collectdataandconductresearchonwaystoeffectivelyaddressaffordablehousing and

implement findings into planning tools; and3. PresentthefindingstorespectiveCountystaffandofficialsforreviewandapproval as County

standards.

InSeptember2009,HorryCountyCounciladoptedanordinancethatelevatedtheCommittee topermanent status and renamed it the Affordable/Workforce HousingCommission. A call fornominations for appointment to the new Commission wasmade in November 2009, withappointments expected to be completed and theCommission ready to beginwork in January2010. The purpose of the Affordable/ Workforce Housing Commission is “to promote andencourage the development of affordable housing for the citizens and workforce of HorryCounty, and to develop the means to provide financial counseling resources in an effort tominimize oravoid future foreclosures on residential properties.” City of Myrtle Beach Human Rights Commission – The mission of the Human RightsCommission for the City of Myrtle Beach is to assure equal opportunity forall citizens to livefree of discrimination with regard to race, creed, color, sex,national origin, ancestry, maritalstatus, physical disability or age and to eliminate discriminatory practices within the City,particularlywith respect to housing.Established in 1990,the Commission is governed by aseven‐member board ofcommunity members. Through the Human Affairs Commission, theCity maintains a Fair Housing Hotline and periodically posts the Hotline number on theCity’scable TV access channel.In April of each year, the City Council recognizes FairHousingMonth by proclamation.

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HomeAlliance, Inc. – The City of Myrtle Beach sponsored the creation ofHomeAlliance, Inc.(HAI) as a local non‐profit corporation in 1999 to address the problemofhomelessnessintheMyrtle Beach area. The HAI Board of Directors is comprised of representatives of the majororganizations that serve the homeless in Myrtle Beach, including the MBHA, Grand StrandHousing & CDC, Little River Medical Center, CASA, Street Reach Ministries, Myrtle BeachHaven, Waccamaw Housing, Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach, and The Center for Women &Children. HAI’s first project was to plan, finance, and build the Alliance Inn Apartments – a54‐unit,135‐bedhomelesshousingprojectthatalsoprovidesafullrangeofhomelesssupportiveservices facilitated by a professional case manager. The Inn also houses a 2,000 square footprimarymedical clinic operatedby theLittleRiverMedical Center. Theproject was completedand opened in 2004. Alliance Inn receives referral clients from local homeless emergencyshelters as well as other health and serviceorganizations such as the Waccamaw Center forMental Health and Little River Medical Center. HAI recently purchased an old motel indowntown Myrtle Beach and converted it to the 25‐unit Balsam Place Apartments forhomeless disabledpersons.BalsamPlaceprovidespermanentsupportivehousingformenandisstaffedwithaprofessionalmentalhealthcasemanager. Theprojectwascompletedandopenedin2007. Additional houses are being acquired and renovated for similaroccupancy under HUD’sNeighborhood Stabilization Program. Another major activity of HAI is the provision oftechnical assistance to other local homeless organizations wanting to add or expand theirfacilities. HAI staff has helped plan and finance constructionprojects forStreetReachMission,Myrtle Beach Haven, the Center for Women & Children, and CASA. HAI also serves as acoordinatingentityfor the many local organizations serving the homeless in Myrtle Beach andHorryCounty.

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PrivateSectorLending

Theprivatesectoriscomprisedoffinanciallendinginstitutionsandbanks,developers,landlordsandpropertymanagers,homebuilders,realtorsandinsurers. Privatesectorimpactonhousingaffordability ismanifested through several processes – themost influential being lendingpolicies and practices, home sales and rentals, and the constructionand rehabilitationofhousingstock.

Lending Policies and Practices An analysis of lending practices at the local level is possible through an examination of datagathered from lending institutions in compliance with the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act(HMDA). The HMDA was enacted by Congress in 1975 and is implemented by the FederalReserveBoardasRegulation C. The intentof theAct is toprovide the public with informationrelated to financial institution lending practicesand to aid public officials in targeting publiccapital investments toattractadditionalprivatesectorinvestments.

Since enactment of theHMDA in 1975, lending institutions have been required to collect andpublicly disclose data regarding applicants including: location of the loan (by Census tract);income,raceandgenderof theborrower;thenumberanddollaramountofeachloan; propertytype; loan type; loan purpose; whether the property is owner‐occupied;action taken for eachapplication; and, if the application was denied, the reason(s) for denial. Property typesexamined include one‐to‐four family units, manufactured housing and multi‐familydevelopments.An amendment to the Act in 2002 requiredlenders to report the interest ratepoint spread for each loan.This spread is thedifference between the annual percentage rate(APR) on the loan and the applicableTreasuryyieldifthespreadisequaltoorgreaterthanthreepercentage points for first‐ lien loans or equal to or greater than five percentage points forsubordinate‐lienloans.

HMDA data is a useful tool in accessing lending practices and trends within a region.Whilemanyfinancialinstitutionsarerequiredtoreportloanactivities,itisimportanttonotethatnotallinstitutions are required to participate. Depository lending institutions ‐ banks, credit unions,andsavingsassociations–mustfileunderHMDAiftheyholdassetsexceedingthecoveragethresholdsetannuallybytheFederalReserveBoard,haveahomeorbranchoffice inoneormore metropolitan statistical areas (MSA), originated at least one home purchase orrefinancing loan on a one‐to‐four family dwelling in the preceding calendar year. Suchinstitutionsmustalsofile if theymeet anyoneofthefollowingthreeconditions:isafederallyinsuredorregulatedinstitution; originates a mortgage loan that is insured, guaranteed, orsupplemented by a federal agency;ororiginatesa loan intended forsale toFannieMaeorFreddieMac.For‐profitnon‐depository institutions (suchasmortgagecompanies)must fileHMDAdata if:theirvalueofhomepurchaseorrefinancingloansexceeds10%ormoreoftheirtotal loan originations or equals or exceeds $25 million; they either maintain a home orbranchoffice inoneormoreMSAsor inagivenyearexecute fiveormorehomepurchase,home refinancing, or home improvement loan applications, originations, or loanpurchases

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forpropertieslocatedinMSAs;orholdassetsexceeding$10millionorhaveexecutedmorethan100homepurchaseorrefinancingloanoriginationsintheprecedingcalendaryear.

It is recommended that the analysis ofHMDAdata be tempered by the knowledge that no onecharacteristiccanbeconsideredinisolation,butmustbeconsideredinlightofother factors. Forinstance, while it is possible to develop conclusions simply on thebasis of race data, it ismore accurate when all possible factors are considered, particularly in relation to loandenials and loan pricing. According to the FFIEC, “with few exceptions, controlling forborrower‐related factors reduces the differences among racial and ethnic groups.”Borrower‐related factors include income, loan amount, lender, and other relevant informationincludedintheHMDAdata.Further,theFFIECcautions that the information in the HMDA data,evenwhen controlled for borrower‐related factors and the lender, “is insufficient to accountfully for racial or ethnic differences in the incidence of higher‐priced lending.” The FFIECsuggests that amore thorough analysis of the differences may require additional details fromsources other than HMDA about factors including the specific credit circumstances of eachborrower,the specific loan products that they are seeking, and the business practices of theinstitutionsthattheyapproachforcredit.In2011,therewerejust4,838homeloansapprovedinHorryCountycomparedto5,237in2010.Anddownconsiderablefromahighof10,253mortgageapprovalsin2006.Additionally,themedianloanamountin2011was$133,000,continuingadownwardslidefromahighof$161,000in2007and$141,000in2009.HMDAdatasuggestthatonly37.97%ofallmortgagesapprovedin2011wereforthepurposeofpurchasing a home,while 62.03%were refinancing of existingmortgages. In 2005, during thepeakofthenewhousingboominHorryCounty,57.63%ofallmortgageswerefornewpurchasesandonly42.37%wereforrefinancingofexistingmortgages.Thesetrendslargelyfollowstateandnationalmortgageactivity.In2005,54.46%ofmortgagesapprovedinSouthCarolinaand44.52%nationally were for new purchases. As seen in Horry County, the rates in South Carolina andnationallyfellto37.93%and34.44%respectivelyby2011.Therewereatotalof4,248 applications for conventional home purchase loans for one‐to‐fourfamily dwellings(excludingmanufacturedhomes) received in Horry Countyin2011. Of theseapplicationssubmittedforconventionalhomepurchase loans,15.96%(678 applications) weredenied. A closer examination of the disposition of these conventional loans for one‐to‐fourfamilydwellingsprovides important information about County lending trends.

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The percentage of loan application denials for conventional home purchase loans forone‐to‐four family housing ( i n c l u d i n g m a n u f a c t u r e d h o m e s ) in Horry Countyvaries by race and ethnicity. While 19.30% of all conventional loans (919 applications) weredenied in Horry County in 2011, more than 44% of loan applications fromAfrican‐American residents (87 applications), 16% of applications from Hispanic residents (6applications),and66%ofapplicantsfromresidentsoftwoormoreraces(2applications)weredenied. Slightly over 17% of applications from Caucasian residents (669 applications) weredeniedin2011. T h e tablebelowprovidesdatarelatedtothedispositionofconventional singlefamily home purchase loans (including manufactured homes) by race of applicant for HorryCounty.

DispositionofApplicationsforConventionalHomePurchaseLoansByRaceofApplicantinHorryCounty

Race Apps.Received

LoansOriginated

Apps.Approved�NotAccepted

Apps.Denied

Apps.With�drawn

FilesClosed�

Incomplete

%LoansDenied

TotalallRaces* 4,761 3,066 281 919 424 146 19.30%

Black 196 66 32 87 10 1 44.39%

White 3,834 2,558 215 669 325 67 17.45%

TwoorMoreMinorityRaces

3 0 0 2 0 1 66.67%

Hispanic** 37 24 2 6 3 2 16.22%*Includesthosewhereracialinformationwasnotavailable**Hispanicisconsideredanethnicity;thereforetotalscombineBlack,WhiteandOthercategories.Source:FederalFinancialInstitutionsExaminationCouncil,HMDADataReports,2011.

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The denial rate for refinancing loanswas generally higher in all categories related to race andethnicity when compared to the percentage of denials of conventional home purchase loans(includingmanufacturedhomes). However, aswith conventional loans, rates of denials forloanapplicationsforrefinancingvariedbyraceandethnicity.

DispositionofApplicationsforResidentialRefinancingLoansbyRaceofApplicantinHorryCounty

Race Apps.Received

LoansOriginated

Apps.Approved�NotAccepted

Apps.Denied

Apps.With�drawn

FilesClosed�

Incomplete

%LoansDenied

TotalallRaces 8,771 4,387 446 2,366 1,186 386 26.98%

Black 272 120 12 99 29 12 36.40%

White 7,081 3,671 356 1,893 922 239 26.73%

TwoorMoreMinorityraces

2 2 0 0 0 0 0.0%

Hispanic** 106 45 6 38 13 4 35.85%*Includes categoryof racenot available.**Hispanicisconsideredanethnicity;thereforetotalscombineBlack,WhiteandOthercategories.Source:FederalFinancialInstitutionsExaminationCouncil,HMDADataReports,2011.

Morethanone‐fourth(26.98%)ofallloansreceivedforrefinancingofone‐to‐fourfamilyhousing inHorry County were denied. Of applications submitted for refinancing, 36.40% of applicationsreceived from African‐Americans (99 applications) and 35.85% received from Hispanics (38applications) were denied. More than one‐quarter (26.98%) of applications received fromCaucasians (2,366applications)weredenied.

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Thefollowingtable indicatesthatapplicantincomeplaysasignificantrole inthesuccessof loanapplications. Under HMDA reporting, loan applicants are categorized by the ratio of theirreportedincometotheMedianFamilyIncome(MFI)oftheMetropolitanStatisticalArea (MSA/MD).IncomeforLowIncomeapplicants is lessthan50%oftheMFI fortheMSA, forModerate Incomeapplicants is from50to79%oftheMSAMFI, forMiddle Incomeapplicantsis80to119%oftheMSAMFI,andforUpperIncomeloanapplicantsis120%ormoreoftheMFIfortheMSA.

DispositionofApplicationsforConventionalHomePurchaseLoans

ByIncomeofApplicantinHorryCounty

ApplicantIncomeGroup Apps.Received

LoansOriginated

Apps.Approved�

NotAccepted

Apps.Denied

Apps.With�drawn

FilesClosed�

Incomplete

%LoansDenied

TotalallIncomes VeryLowIncome(<50%ofMSAMedian)

308 122 29 133 21 3 43.18%

LowIncome(50‐79%ofMSAMedian)

631 360 52 157 57 5 24.88%

ModerateIncome(80‐99%ofMSAMedian)

582 234 28 81 35 6 13.92%

MiddleIncome(100%‐119%ofMSAMedian)

363 225 23 76 35 4 20.94%

UpperIncome(120%orMoreofMSAMedian)

2,948 2,141 146 425 268 68 14.42%

Source:FederalFinancialInstitutionsExaminationCouncil,HMDADataReports,2011.

As shown in the table above, denial rates increased significantly for Horry Countyapplicantsin lower income categories in 2011, with the percentage of loan denials for applicants in thelowest income range nearly twice that of denials for middle‐income and upper‐incomeapplicants. More than one‐third (43.18%) of applications for conventional home purchaseloans received from v e r y low income residents and 24.88% of applications from Countyresidents with low incomes were denied. By comparison, only 20.94%% of loansapplications received from middle income residentsand14.42%fromupper incomeresidentsweredenied.

When the denial rate for home purchase loans for each racial group is examined within the context ofincome,itisevidentthatCaucasianapplicantshaveaconsistentlylowerloan application denial rate, whileminorities, particularly African‐Americans, have a comparativelyhigher rate ofdenial. The table belowsummarizes thedisposition of applications for conventional home purchase loans grouped by incomeandbyraceforHorryCounty.

DispositionofApplicationsforConventionalHomePurchaseLoans

ByIncomeandRaceofApplicantinHorryCounty

IncomeandRace

Apps.

Received

LoansOriginated

Apps.Approved

�NotAccepted

Apps.Denied

Apps.With�drawn

Files

Closed�Incomplet

e

%LoansDenied

VeryLowIncome 308 122 29 133 21 3 43.18%Black 54 9 8 37 0 0 68.52%

White 218 103 15 79 18 3 36.24%

TwoorMore* 1 0 0 1 0 0 100%

Hispanic** 6 2 1 2 1 0 66.67%

LowIncome 631 360 52 157 57 5 24.88%

Black 41 9 8 22 2 0 53.66%

White 511 311 39 115 41 5 22.50%

TwoorMore* 1 0 0 1 0 0 100%

Hispanic** 2 2 0 0 0 0 0.0%

ModerateIncome 582 234 28 81 35 6 13.92%

Black 20 5 7 6 2 0 30.00%

White 318 207 19 59 28 5 18.55%

TwoorMore* 0 0 0 0 0 0 ‐‐

Hispanic** 3 1 1 0 1 0 0.0%

MiddleIncome 363 225 23 76 35 4 20.94%

Black 13 3 5 4 0 1 30.77%

White 303 196 18 63 24 2 20.79%

TwoorMore* 0 0 0 0 0 0 ‐‐

Hispanic** 2 1 0 0 1 0 0.0%

UpperIncome 2,948 2,141 146 425 268 68 14.42%

Black 67 40 4 17 6 0 25.37%

White 2,420 1,710 123 330 207 50 13.64%

TwoorMore* 1 0 0 0 0 1 0.0%

Hispanic** 24 18 0 4 0 2 16.67%

*Twoormoreminorityraces.**Hispanicisconsideredanethnicity;thereforetotalscombineBlack,WhiteandOthercategories.Source:FederalFinancialInstitutionsExaminationCouncil,HMDADataReports,2011.

Thepercentageofdenialswas consistentlyhighest forAfrican‐Americansand lowestfor Caucasians in allincome categories – disregarding those categories with only a handful of applications in general. Thehighest overall rate of denials was for applications from v e r y low‐income African‐Americans at68.52%% (37 applications) and low‐income African‐Americans at 53.66% (22 applications) being denied. On the other hand, the lowest denial rate was for applications fromCaucasians in

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the upper income group at 13.6%%. Differences in denial rates for African‐American applicantsranged from9.8% to28.8%greater thandenial rates foreach income group as a whole and from 10%to 32.5% higher than denial rates forCaucasiansineachincomecategory.

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An in‐depth analysis of the reasons for denial of loan applications in Horry County as listed in the fo l lowing table reveals that debt‐to‐income ratio is the primary reason for denialcountywide, followedclosely by credit history and lack of collateral.

ReasonsforDenialofApplicationsforConventionalHomePurchaseLoansByRace,GenderandIncomeofApplicant*

Characteristics

Total

Debt�to�IncomeRatio

CreditHistory

Collateral

InsufficientCash

Un�verifiableInfo

CreditApplicationIncomplete

# % # % # % # % # % # %

Race Black 44 11 25% 18 41% 5 11% 2 5% 0 0 1 2%

White 663 173 26% 122 18% 161 24% 28 4% 28 4% 38 6%

TwoorMore* 1 0 0 0 0 1 100% 0 0 0 0 0 0

Hispanic** 7 2 29% 2 29% 1 14% 1 14% 0 0 0 0

Gender Male 231 69 30% 42 18% 49 21% 11 5% 9 4% 10 4%Female 215 61 28% 55 26% 31 14% 12 6% 10 5% 13 6%JointMale/Female

364 82 23% 62 17% 107 29% 15 4% 13 4% 23 6%

GenderNotAvailable

41 11 27% 6 15% 13 32% 1 2% 2 5% 4 10%

Income

VeryLow‐Income

105 37 35% 41 39% 4 4% 5 5% 1 1% 4 4%

Low‐Income

(50‐79%)

135 37 27% 45 33% 14 10% 10 7% 5 4% 8 6%

Moderate‐Income(80‐99%)

76 26 34% 16 21% 11 14% 5 7% 1 1% 1 1%

Middle‐Income(100‐120%)

73 21 29% 14 19% 12 16% 4 5% 6 8% 7 10%

Upper‐Income

(>120%)

435 95 22% 46 11% 153 35% 14 3% 19 4% 29 7%

IncomeNotAvailable

27 7 26% 3 11% 6 22% 1 4% 2 7% 1 4%

*Institutionsarenotrequiredtoreportreasonsforloandenials.**Hispanicisconsideredanethnicity;thereforetotalscombineBlack,WhiteandOthercategories.Source:FederalFinancialInstitutionsExaminationCouncil,HMDADataReports,2011.

Itisimportanttonotethatfinancialinstitutionsarenotrequiredtoreportreasonsforloan denials, althoughmany do so voluntarily.Also, while many loan applications aredenied formore thanonereason,HMDAdatareflectsonlytheprimaryreasonforthedenial of each loan. Through an examination of the reasonsfor loan denial at the county level, it is possible to uncover specific issues that can be addressed byHorryCounty, localgovernments,andothercommunitypartners.

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Debt‐to‐income ratio, credit history and lack of collateral are also major factors in denials whenexamined within the context of the race and ethnicity of Horry CountyApplicants. Debt‐to‐income ratiowas the leading factor in loandenials forCaucasians(26%)andHispanics(29%). However,credithistorywas by far the most prevalent cause of denials for African‐Americans, accounting for nearly one half(41%) of all application denials. Credit history was a slightly less significant factor in denials forCaucasians(18%)andHispanics (29%). Lackof collateralwas the second leading factor in loandenialforCaucasians(24%)butwasonlythethirdleadingcauseofdenialsforAfrican‐Americansat11%andHispanics(14%).

Debt‐to‐income ratiowas the primary reason for loan denial for both female applicants (28%) andmaleapplicants (30%). Lack of collateral was the second most common denial reason for male applicants(21%)whilethesecondaryreasonfordenial forfemaleswascredithistoryat26%,

Anexaminationof loandenialby incomegroupreveals thatalackofcredithistory is theleading cause ofdenials in the v e r y l o w ( 3 9 % ) a n d l o w ‐ i n c o m e ( 3 3 % ) groups, and is the secondaryreason for denial in the moderate and middle income groups. D eb t t o i n c ome r a t i o is theprimaryreasonfordenialinthemoderate,middleandupperincomegroupsandisthesecondarycausefordenial in the v e r y low and l o w ‐ income groups. The percentage of denials based uponcredithistoryanddebt‐to‐incomeratiodecreased asincomeincreased,whilethepercentageofdenialsbecauseoflackofcollateralincreasedasincomeincreased.

Since the passage of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) in 1977, banks have been stronglyencouraged to serve the credit needs of all persons within the community, including those with lowand moderate incomes. The CRA establishes a regulatory mechanism for monitoring the level oflending, investments and services in low andmoderate income neighborhoods that have traditionallybeen underserved by lendinginstitutions.Whilemostmortgagecompanies, financecompanies,andcreditunions are required by HMDA to provide information on their lending activities, many are exempt fromCRA coverage and its examination process. Because only federally‐insured financial institutions arecovered by CRA, mortgage companies, finance companies and credit unions are all exempt from CRAregulations.Commonly, it is considered thatonlydepositoryfinancialinstitutionsarecoveredbyCRA.

Four Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) agencies conduct CRAexaminationsandenforcement – the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit InsuranceCorporation(FDIC),theOfficeoftheComptrolleroftheCurrency(OCC),andtheOfficeofThriftSupervision(OTS). Examiners from the four FFIEC agencies assess and “grade” lenders’ activities in low andmoderate income neighborhoods. Large institutions are graded on how well they meet their CRAobligation according to a three‐part test that evaluates actual performance in lending, investing, andproviding banking services to the entire community including low and moderate income (LMI)borrowers and borrowers (individuals or businesses) located in LMI areas. Smaller institutions aresubject to amore streamlined examination thatfocusesonlending.

Lending institutions receive one of four ratings or grades after a CRA exam. The top two ratings of“Outstanding” or “Satisfactory” mean that a federal examiner has determined that a lender has met itsobligation to satisfy the credit needs of communities in which it is chartered. The two lowest ratings,“Needs to Improve” or “Substantial Noncompliance,” reflect a failure on the part of the lendinginstitution tomeetthecreditneedsofcommunities,particularlythelowandmoderateincomecommunities,inwhich it is chartered. The four federal agenciesexamine largebanksapproximately once every two

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years. However, large lending institutionswith satisfactory ratings may be examined once everyfour years and institutions withoutstandingratingsmaybeexaminedonceeveryfiveyears.

WhilepoorCRAratingsdonot result in immediate sanctions for a lender, receiptof alowCRAratingcancurtailan institution’s futureplans forservicechangesormergerswithotherfinancialinstitutions.Whenalenderplans tomergewithanother institutionor open a new branch, they must apply to the FederalReserve Board and/or to itsprimary regulator for permission. Receipt of one of the two lowest CRAratings is considered in the review of the application by the federal agency. The reviewing federalagencyhastheauthoritytodelay,deny,oraddconditionstoanapplication.

A review of themost recent CRA ratings of Horry County lenders surveyed for thisanalysisrevealsthatallofthedepositoryfinancialinstitutionshavereceivedratingsofeitherOutstandingorSatisfactory intheirmostrecent review. Of the lenders surveyed, three received outstanding ratings, two received satisfactoryratings, and one is not afederally‐insuredinstitutionandthereforeisexemptfromCRAregulation.

Subprime Lending (also known as high‐cost lending)

Sub‐prime mortgage loans offer borrowers with poor credit histories, high loan‐to‐value ratios, orother credit risk characteristics access to home financing. In general, the rationale for charginga loancustomerahighercost(feesandinterest)forahome loan is to compensate for the higher levels of risk,based upon the borrower’s credit profile. Often, individuals who are rejected for prime rate loans aredirectedtothe subprime market.Although the subprime lending market has made credit moreavailableto households with low incomes or imperfect credit, subprime lending is generally unregulated,opening the possibility for predatory loans. While subprime loans are a necessary option for manyconsumers,manyoftheseloanshavetermsthatareconsideredpredatory.Thisoccurswhentheloanstripsthe equity out of the home due to higher charges or fees that are financed with the money borrowed.Consumersare often talked into refinancing their homes with the promise of savings or a lowerinterestrate or monthly payment – when in fact the loan contains fees and chargesaddingupto thousandsofdollarsthatarepaidforwiththeequity fromtheconsumer’shome. The loan is then refinanced, includingthebrokercharge,discountororiginationfees,creditinsurance,andclosingcostsoverthenext10to30years.Someoftheseloansleave the borrower with a large final “balloon” payment that must be paid in full tosatisfythedebtandwillgenerallyneedtoberefinancedbytheconsumer,withnewfeesand points chargedonceagain.

South Carolina lawmakers moved to address the problems related to predatory lending in the SouthCarolina High Cost and Consumer Home Loan Act thatwas signed into law inJune2003. Theenactmentofthelawwasfollowedbyastatewideconsumerawarenesscampaign.Provisionsofthelegislation: Requiremandatorycreditcounselingforconsumersonhigh‐costloans; Limitthepracticeof“flipping”(therepeatedrefinancingofloans)tonomorethanevery42months; Prohibitthefinancingofcreditinsurance; Limittheamountofpointsandfeesthatcanbefinancedwithinahigh‐costloan; Prohibitaprepaymentpenaltyonhomemortgageloansupto$150,000; Requirethelendertomakesurethattheborrowerhastheabilitytorepayaloan; Requiremortgagebrokerstoactinthebestinterestoftheborrower;and Limitthenumberoftimesthatlenderscanrolloverloansthatareforlessthan120days.

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HMDAdatafor2011revealsthatjust3.82%ofallmortgagesapprovedinHorryCountywereconsideredSub‐prime,downsignificantlyfromahighof27.51%ofallmortgagesin2006.Furthermore,only2.89%ofmortgagesfornewpurchasesinHorryCountyweresub‐primewhile4.4%ofrefinancedmortgageswereconsideredhigh‐cost.While 84.86%of all sub‐prime loansweremade towhitehouseholdsorpersons, only 3.78%of all loansmadetowhiteapplicantswereSub‐prime;ontheotherhand,9.7%ofallloansmadetoblackhouseholdsorpersonswhereSub‐primeand4.35%ofallloansmadetoHispanicpersons.Astobeexpected,whenthepercentageofsubprimeapplicationsreceivedisexaminedwithinthecontextofincome, a higher percentage of subprime loan applications are represented among the low, moderateandmiddle incomegroups than among these groups for all types ofloan applications. The only exceptionis found in the upper income group, which makes up a lower percentage of subprime loans, oftenreferredtoasjumboloans.

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IdentificationofImpedimentstoFairHousingChoice

Althoughbothpublic and private entities are very supportive of ensuring the provisionof fair housing inHorry County, some of the procedures and policies that are in placecan indirectly impede the process.For instance, land use ordinances that strictlyregulate the location and size ofmulti‐family housing orthat impose additional development costs to the consumer can hinder the provision of fair housing.High property taxes impact housing cost for both owners and renters, while the provision ofwater andsewer service can help to alleviate land development costs. Other factors, such as the proximity of fireservice, the local adoption and enforcement of buildingcodes, and hazard mitigation measures can helplower insurance rates – a significantconsiderationinthecostofhousing.

Public Sector

The most significant public sector measures that influence the availability and affordability of housinginclude: zoning restrictions; land development ordinances; landscaping requirements; permit fees;development impact fees; site planning forcommunity facilities; and the provision of key infrastructureto includewater, sewer,and roads.

Zoning and Site Selection– Zoning plays a key role in the provision of fair andaffordable housing.An overly restrictive zoning ordinance that requires largeminimum lot sizes and low densities orthat impedes affordable options such asmanufactured housing, mobile home parks and multi‐familyunits can reduce affordable housing options and make development or construction of affordablehousing difficult. The affordable housing stock in Horry County is generallycomprised of public housingsingle‐ or multi‐family units, rental assisted single‐ ormulti‐family units owned by private entities, andmanufactured housing (both rental units and owner‐occupied) either located on single properties orwithinmobile home parks. While public housing and affordable private housingdevelopments aregenerally located within more densely populated areas, manufactured housing is often the primaryaffordable housing alternative in ruralareas.A review of local zoning regulations reveals the degree ofadequateopportunity in a community for affordable housing to exist and to develop newaffordablehousingoptions.

A review of zoning ordinances for Horry County and the Cities of Conway andMyrtleBeachindicatesthat,ingeneral,thedevelopmentofaffordablehousingmaybe more difficult in the municipalities than inthe unincorporated areas of the County. Most land in the municipalities is already developed, leavinglittle vacantlandfornewprojects,withtheexceptionoftheredevelopmentofexistingpropertiesand throughannexation. In general, the availability and cost of land, coupled with land use regulations that are lessrestrictive for manufactured housing make the unincorporated areas of Horry County more attractivefor the development ofaffordable housing. Conversely, the shortage of available land in appropriatelyzonedareasandprohibitivelandprices,especiallyalongthecoast,makethedevelopment of new affordablehousing in the County’s municipalities more difficult. However, it should be noted that development ofaffordablemulti‐familyhousing in the unincorporated area of the Countymay be hampered by the limitedavailability of appropriately zoned vacant properties. This creates a challenging situation in which itbecomesmore feasible to provide affordable housing optionsfor LMI residents in more rural areas of theCounty, although access to publictransportationandessential servicesarecentered in themoreurbanized

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areas ofConway andMyrtle Beach. Regulations are summarized in the sections that followandAppendix Gprovides detailed land use and zoning informationforHorryCounty and the Cities of Conway andMyrtleBeach.

Horry County – Horry County zoning regulations provide multiple options for the development orconstructionofaffordablehousing. Therearemanyzoningdistricts that allowmanufactured housing andmulti‐familyhousing in theunincorporatedareaofHorryCounty, and thesedistrictsarewell representedthroughout the County.Although mobile home parks are limited to the MHPDistrictandmustbeatleastfiveacresinsize,CountyofficialsindicatethattheMHPdistrictisadequatelyrepresentedwithintheCounty.Accessory residential uses such as garage apartments are allowed in several districts and multiplesingle‐family housing units are allowed on a single lot in many areas, dependingon the acreage of theproperty. Uptofive individualhousingunitsareallowedonasinglepropertyofat least threeacres intheForest Agriculture (FA) and Commercial Forest Agriculture (CFA) districts (by far the most prevalentdistricts in the County) and on a single property of at least six acres in theLimited Forest Agriculture(LFA) district that is concentrated along theWaccamaw River. While minimum lot sizes required forresidential developmentare not prohibitive, the cost of land, particularly within close proximity of thebeach and waterways, can be prohibitive to affordable housing development. Horry County’s recentlyadopted CoastalCarolinaUniversityOverlayDistrictrestricts residential occupancy to no more thanfour persons not related “byblood, marriage, adoption, guardianship or other duly authorized custodialrelationship.” This maximum occupancy is lower than the standard countywideof five per dwelling forunrelated occupants. While these regulations could be considered discriminatory for college studentssince the areas included in the overlayarewithincloseproximityof theUniversity, it cannotbedefineddirectly as an impediment to fair housing choice for any of the classes protected through Fair Housinglegislation.

To date, Horry County has not enacted inclusionary zoning requirements. Inclusionary zoning requiresdevelopers to make a percentage of housing units in newresidentialdevelopmentsavailableto lowandmoderateincomehouseholds. In return, developers receive non‐monetary compensation in theform ofdensity bonuses, zoning variances, and/or expedited permits that canreduceconstructioncosts.

CityofConway – A review of the City of Conway’s zoning regulations reveals that while there arenumerous areas in which multi‐family housing are allowed,manufacturedhousing in any location otherthan an existing site – whether on an individual lot or in a manufactured home park – is not a viableaffordable housing option. Multi‐family housing is allowed in two zoning districts in Conway, whichappear to be adequately representedwithin the City. The City’sZoning Ordinance does not address thelocation of higher density residentialuses near public transit stops at this time. Manufactured homes onindividual properties and manufactured home parks are allowed only as legal non‐ conforming uses,and accessory residential uses are allowed only in the R‐4Traditional Residential district. Multipleindividual housing units are allowed on an individual property in the R‐2 (6,000 square foot lotminimum), R‐3 (5,000square foot lot minimum) and R‐4 (5,000 square foot lot minimum) districts.MinimumlotsizesdonotappeartobeprohibitivetothedevelopmentofaffordablehousingintheCity.

The City’s stringent regulations related to manufactured housing mayhinder its use as an option foraffordable housing, h o w e v e r this is not unusual for a municipality and there are adequateopportunities for the development of multi‐ family housing. Therefore, the provisions of the ZoningOrdinance do not appear to create significant impediments to affordable or fair housing. However, landprices,whilenotasprohibitiveasprices incloservicinitytothecoast,haveincreasedintherecentdecadeasworkers intheGrandStrandareahavesoughtmore affordable housing options further inland. Areahousing providers notethatwhile the recenthousingmarketdownturnhas resulted in lowerprices, it is

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possible that when the market stabilizes, prices may return to levels that may further impact thedevelopmentofaffordablehousing.

WhileprovisionsforhousingforLMIresidentsmaybenegotiatedaspartofthePlanned Unit Developmentprocess, the City of Conway has not adopted inclusionary zoning requirements to date. However, theCity is considering theinclusionoffairhousingincentivesaspartoftherewriteoftheirZoningOrdinance,which is currently underway.

CityofMyrtleBeach– Zoning regulations for the City of Myrtle Beachprovide ample opportunities foraffordable housing – bothmulti‐family housingandmanufacturedhomes–unfortunately,thepriceoflandin the coastal community can pose a significant impediment to the development of affordable housing.Manufactured housing on an individual lot is allowed in five zoning districts in Myrtle Beach, withmanufacturedhomeparksallowed in theMH1districton lots threeacresor larger in size. Although thelocationof newmanufacturedhomeparks isveryrestrictive,manufacturedhousingon individual lotsisa v iable af fordable housing option in several areas in the City.Multi‐family housing is allowed in 20districts and the use of accessory residential units is possible in 15 zoning districts – all locatedthroughout the City. Although multiple mobile homesand/or stick built homes are not allowed onindividual properties, individual homes may occupy the same property as multi‐family housing.However, themaximumunitsperacreandsquarefootageperunitprevailregardlessofhousing type.

While required lot sizes do not appear to be prohibitive to the development ofaffordablehousing,nearlyall the landwithin the City ofMyrtle Beach iswithineasyproximityofthebeach,resultinginhigher landprices,particularlyforlandlocatedwithina fewblocksof thebeach. However,muchof the landzoned toallow multi‐family developments and manufactured homes is located further from the beach andtherefore more conducive for development as affordablehousing.Many of the districts designated forthe highest densities of multi‐ family housing include or are near to transit stops, making themattractive to residents who do not own vehicles. Although land prices may hinder development ofaffordablehousingwithin theCity, theprovisionsanddistrictsprovided in the Zoning Ordinance do notappear to create significantimpedimentstoaffordableorfairhousing.The City of Myrtle Beach has not adopted inclusionary zoning requirements to date, but does allowprovisionsforhousingforLMIresidentstobenegotiatedaspartofthePlannedUnitDevelopmentprocess.LandDevelopmentRegulations/SubdivisionRegulations – Land developmentregulations,alsoknownas subdivision regulations, can significantly impact theprovision of fair housing in a community. Landdevelopment regulations ensure that buyers of property located within the jurisdiction will have safeandappropriateaccesstotheirproperty,thatallfloodorstormdrainage willbecollectedoff‐site,thatroadswill be sized to accommodate regularmaintenance andallow for emergency vehicle access, that propereasements exist for utilities andstormdrainage, that roadsareproperly signed, and that the road layoutallows forsafe and unobstructed travel throughout the subdivision. However, when localregulationsrequire major expenditures by developers for engineering design or to meet stringent infrastructurecriteria,theycanaddtothedevelopmentcostperlotandcontributetoprohibitivelyhighhousingprices.

A review of land development regulations in Horry County and theCitiesofConway andMyrtle Beachreveals that in general, while they can be stringent when dealing with matters of safety or long‐termmaintenance viability, the standards are appropriate to the type of jurisdiction and are similar toregulations in comparable jurisdictions. Roads in subdivisionswithmore than ten lotsmust be paved inHorry County and plansmust be prepared by a licensed surveyor or engineer. Landscaping is requiredalongtheroadfrontageofmajorroads insubdivisions,andstormwatercontrolcanbecostlyduetofactors

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suchaslocation,soilsandhydrology.

All roads must be paved in subdivisions in both Conway and Myrtle Beach. Aregistered engineer orsurveyor must provide subdivision plans in Conway and a registered engineer is required in MyrtleBeach. Private roads are not allowed inConway and are only allowed in cluster housing developmentsor PUDs in MyrtleBeach. Conwayrequires street trees, sidewalks, stormdrainageanddedicationofopenspace in subdivisions. Sidewalks are not required in Myrtle Beach, although they are a standardconditionofPlanningCommissionapproval. MyrtleBeachalsorequireson‐sitedrainageretentionfornewsubdivisions. Openspace is required insomedistricts inMyrtleBeach through theZoningOrdinanceand,where required, must be shown on the subdivision plat prior to approval. While the provision ofsidewalksandstormdrainagemeasurescanbecostly,theyareessentialforsafetyand livability. Likewise,landscaping and open space requirements add to the cost of development, but also provide areas forrecreation and vital aesthetic qualities that persons of all incomes find valuable to quality of life. Feescharged for the subdivision of land by the County and both cities are generally in linewith comparablejurisdictionsthroughouttheState. Itisnotevidentthattheadministration of land development regulationsin Horry County, the City o f Conway or the City of Myrtle Beach presents any major obstacles to theprovisionoffairandaffordablehousing.BuildingCodes –The jurisdictions inHorryCounty that administer and enforcebuilding codes usethe 2012 International Building Code (IBC) for multi‐family construction and most condominiumconstruction, and the 2012 International Residential Code for construction of single‐family homes,townhousesandduplexes.BothCodesrequirecompliancewiththeAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct.

To ensure the incorporation of energy saving measures into all new residentialconstruction, the SCGeneral Assembly adopted a mandatory statewide buildingcodethat includedModelEnergyCodeof theCouncil of AmericanBuildingOfficialsastheofficialstateenergycode. Priortothe1997legislation,lessthan40% of South Carolina counties had adopted building codes and even fewer had building codeenforcement capacity. The Energy Code establishes minimum insulation standards and requiresdouble‐paned or storm windows. These additional standards ensure that new homes are built toconserveenergy,whichultimatelyreducesutilitybillsandmakeshousingmoreaffordable.

PermitFees–Permittingfeesaddtothecostofnewconstructionandtothecostofplacingnewor relocatedmanufactured homes. Excessive fees can be prohibitive, particularly to owners of new or relocatedmanufacturedhomes. Areviewofpermitfees inHorryCountyandtheCitiesofConwayandMyrtleBeachindicates that fee structures are basically in line with comparable jurisdictions in the region andstatewide.While all three jurisdictions require business licenses for builders,developers, and otherbusinesses associated with construction and developmentwithintheirjurisdictions,nonelevyimpactfeesatthistime.

Residential development that occurs outside of areas served by water and sewermust alsoobtain theproperpermitsfromSCDHECforwellandseptictankplacement.Whilewaterandsewerserviceisavailableforthemoreurbanizedareasof Horry County, including Conway and Myrtle Beach, some of the lessdensely developed areas have historically relied on wells and septic tanks and are subject to Staterequirements.

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Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) and Board of ArchitecturalReview(BAR)–All jurisdictions inSouthCarolinathatregulate landusemusthaveaplanning commissionandaboardofzoningappeals. Membersof bothbodies areappointed by the governing body of the jurisdiction – thecounty, city or towncouncil.Members may not be paid compensation for their participation and maynotholdotherpublicofficeorpositioninthejurisdictiontheyrepresent.

The duty of the planning commission is to develop and carry out a continuingplanning program forthe physical, social, and economic growth, development and redevelopment of the community. Theplanning commission directs the preparation, and advises the governing body on the adoption of thedevelopmentandupdateofthecomprehensiveplan. ThePlan is anessentialand requiredprerequisite totheadministrationandenforcementof landuseregulations.Thecommissionalsodirects the preparationand update of land use regulations, including the zoningordinanceand landdevelopmentregulations,andprovidesrecommendationsonthe adoption ofsuch regulations to thegoverning body. Planningcommissionstypicallyhavebetween fiveandtwelvememberswhorepresentspecific geographicareas ofthe jurisdiction and/or may provide specific expertise in areas such as engineering, architecture, anddevelopment.The role of the board of zoning appeals is quasi‐judicial, and includes consideringappealsto determinations made by the zoning official, as well as hearing and rulingon applications for variancefromtherequirementsofthezoningordinance.Boardsofzoningappealshavefromthreetoninemembers.In addition, if a local government includes within its zoning ordinance provisions for preservation orprotection of historic or architecturally valuable districts, preservation and protection of significant ornaturalscenicareas,orprotectionorprovisionfortheuniqueorspecialcharacterofadefineddistrict,theymayappointaboardofarchitecturalreview(BAR)orsimilarbodymaybecreatedaspartofthemechanismto administer such provisions.Such a review body is also recognizedunder names such as “communityappearance board” and “design review board.” A BAR cannot have more than ten members and itsmembers cannot hold another public office or position within the local government. Qualifications formembersare prescribed by the governing body within the zoning ordinance, with membersappointedby the governingbody.State, County and Municipal Property Tax Policies – Local property taxes play asignificant role inthe overall cost of housing. Prohibitively high tax rates can make an area unattractive to developers ofaffordable housing and can result in elevatedhousingcosts. TherearethreeelementstoSouthCarolina’spropertytaxsystem:(1)thetaxrate;(2)theassessmentratio;and(3)thepropertyvalue. Forresidentialusesthe assessment ratio is 4% for owner‐occupied buildings (principal residences) and 6% for otherresidentialuses (non‐principal residences). The tax rate isgenerallyreflected in “mills,” or “millage rate.”A mill is a unit of monetary value equal toonetenthofacentoronethousandthofadollar. Forexample,ataxrateof150millstranslatesinto$.15taxper$1.00ofassessedvalue. Ingeneralterms,theappropriatetaxormillagerateforataxingentity isreachedbydividingtheassessedvalueofallpropertytobetaxedintotherevenuesneededtobegeneratedbythepropertytaxes.Therefore,ifanareaisdenselypopulatedorincludesmajor tax contributors, then the millage rate is likely to be lower than in an area with sparsedevelopmentandfewindustriesormajorcommercialbusinesses.

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Because individual property taxes are determined by multiplying the value of the property by theassessmentratioandthenbythetaxrate(millage),themillagerateis a determining factor in how high taxeswill be on residential properties.Thetotalmillage rate (including school, fire&wastemanagement)for the unincorporated area of Horry County in 2013 is175.4. Of this total, 130.2 mills are allocated toschoolsand 45.2 are allocated for other county services. Propertieslocated within the municipalities payadditional mills as shown in thetable below.Millsarealsoaddedforpropertieslocatedwithinthenumerousspecialdistrictsinthearea.

AdditionalMillageRatesforCountyMunicipalities

Location MillageAtlanticBeach 84.5Aynor 60.8BriarcliffeAcres 50.8Conway 79.3Loris 111.7MyrtleBeach 66.1N.MyrtleBeach 38.0SurfsideBeach 40.0DataSource: Horry County Assessor,September2013.

Because vacation homes and rental units are not primary residences the ownersmustpaythe6%taxassessmentratio. Thisequatestoataxbillthatissignificantlyhigher by approximately 50% than the ratepaid by units that are the principal residenceoftheowner. Becausethishighertaxrateispassedontorentersthroughmonthly rents, it constitutes an additional burden on lower income families who cannotaffordtopurchaseahomeandmustrelyonrentalhousing.

The State of South Carolina has several tax abatement programs in place for special segments of thepopulation. Themost significantprogram is theHomesteadExemption for residents over 65 years of age,for disabled persons, and for someVeterans (see below). The provision allows a yearly exemption of$50,000 from the appraised value of a primary residence. Owner‐occupied legal residences are alsoexemptfromschooltaxesforthefirst$100,000inpropertyvalue.Veteranswhoaretotallyandpermanentlydisabledfromaservice‐relateddisabilityareexemptfromstatetaxes on their primarydwelling and lot up to one acre. Thisexemption is also allowed for the survivingspouse of the veteran or the surviving spouseof amilitarymemberor lawenforcementofficerkilled inaction in the line of duty. The exemption applies to the primary home and lot that the eligible memberowned at the time of his/her death, as long as the spouse does not remarry, resides in the dwelling, andobtainsbylegaldevicethefeeorlifeestateinthedwelling.Anexemptionfromallstatetaxesisalsoprovidedtoparaplegicorhemiplegic(apersonwhohasparalysisofonelateralhalfofthebodyresultingfrominjuryto the motor centers of the brain) residents for a primary dwelling and lot up to one acre in size. Theexemption is also allowed to the surviving spouse of the individual provided the spouse does notremarry,residesinthedwelling,andobtainsbylegaldevicethefeeoralifeestateinthedwelling.

In addition, all properties belonging to nonprofit housing corporations devoted exclusively to providingbelow‐costhousing for theagedand/or fordisabledpersons are exempt from State taxes. Housing typesinclude supportive housing,rental housing, and cooperative housing

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CommunityFacilitiesand Infrastructure– Community facilities includeprojectsandactivities essentialto sustained growth and development. Because of the physical nature of community facilities andinfrastructure, it must be recognized that the location and site planning for these facilities can havesubstantial influenceon the type and direction of growth, as well as the redevelopment potential for anarea. ItisalsoimportanttonotethatcommunityfacilitiesintheCountyincludenotonly those provided bylocal governments, but also those built and maintained bystate and federal governments and by otherbodies such as school districts, higher education institutions, water and sewer authorities, utilities,hospitals, and non‐profits. The locationof statehealthandsocial servicesoffices,postsecondaryandjobtraining facilities, hospitals, regional transportation centers and routes, and other essential centers caneither complement or derail local affordable housing and community development plans. Given theimpactofsuchfacilitiesasschools,healthcarecenters,publicsafety,andwaterandseweron the livesofresidents,astructured and consistent consultationprocess among service providers is anintegral step inensuring the consideration of affordable housing and community development needs in communityfacilities planning.

It is also important to note that a surprisingly large number of key communityfacilitiescanbe,andoftenare, located and constructed without formal consultation with local development staff. Federal and statefacilities such as post offices and schools are not required to obtain zoning compliance or buildingpermits. Onlywhen privately owned buildings are leased by the State must the facility complywith localland use regulations and building codes. However, the SouthCarolinaPlanning Enabling Act of 1994 (SCCode §6-29‐540) requires that “… no new street, structure, utility, square, park, or other public way,grounds, or open space or public building for any use, whether publicly or privately owned, may beconstructed or authorized in the political jurisdiction of the governing authority or authoritiesestablishing the planning commission until the location, character, and extent of ithave been submitted tothe planning commission for review and comment as to the compatibility of the proposal with thecomprehensive plan of the community.” Ifthelocalplanningcommissionfindsthattheproposedprojectisinconflict with the comprehensive plan, they must notify the proposing entity. Telephone, sewer and gasutilities, or electric suppliers, utilities and providers,whether publicly orprivatelyowned, areexempt fromthisprovision.On‐going coordination and communication are integral to ensuring that community facility investmentsadvance other local community development initiatives. Representatives from Horry County, as well asfrom the Cities of Conway, Myrtle Beach, and North Myrtle Beach and the Towns of Briarcliffe Acres,Atlantic Beach, Pawley’s Island, and Surfside Beach are represented on the Grand Strand AreaTransportation Study (GSATS) committee. GSATS provides regional guidance to local governments andthe SCDepartment of Transportation (SCDOT) onmattersrelated to road constructionand transportationimprovements. TheGSATSPolicyCommittee is also theMetropolitan PlanningOrganization (MPO) PolicyCommitteefor the urbanized area including and surrounding the City of Myrtle Beach.TheWaccamawRegional Council of Governments (WRCOG) staff and the SouthCarolinaDepartment ofTransportation(SCDOT)PlanningSectionaredesignatedasthe MPO staff.The WRCOG provides Transportation Planningstaff, funded by Federal and local funding from Horry and Georgetown Counties, to administer thetransportation programs, collect and compile land use data and gather any additional planning datarequired.The Council also providestransportationplanning for therural areasofGeorgetown,HorryandWilliamsburg counties. The transportation staff works with local governments, the GSATS PolicyCommittee, SCDOT, the Waccamaw Regional Board of Directors, and the Federal HighwayAdministration in the implementation of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, EfficientTransportation EquityAct: A Legacy For Users (SAFETEA‐LU) and theRural PlanningGrant.

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The county councils for Georgetown andHorry Counties and the city councils forConway, Myrtle Beach,North Myrtle Beach and Georgetown make formal appointments to the Waccamaw RegionalTransportation Authority (WRTA) Boardof Directors. The WRTA Board of Directors provides oversightto The CoastRegional TransportationAuthority,which servesbothHorry andGeorgetownCounties.

Several jurisdictions in the region also work closely with local school districts on issues such as thelocation of new schools, vehicular and pedestrian access, andshared parking. Local jurisdictions alsopartner with higher education on many initiatives and work closely on issues such as location andexpansion of facilities.OneexampleisthecoordinationbetweentheCityofMyrtleBeach,theMyrtleBeachBase Redevelopment Authority, and Horry‐Georgetown Technical College on the development of theHGTC Grand Strand campus in vacant facilities of the formerMyrtleBeachAirForceBase. Inadditiontoadvancing base redevelopment efforts, the Campus has become a focal point for job training programsthatbenefitmanylowandmoderateincomeresidentsofMyrtleBeachandHorryCountyandpreparethemforhigherwage,higherdemandcareersinfieldssuchashealthcare.

Water and Sewer – Access to water and sewer service plays a particularly instrumental role incommunity development patterns. Residential development outside of existing water and sewerservice areas must rely on wells and septicsystems, adding to the initial cost of each residential unit. Inaddition, state law requires that a parcel of land proposed to include a septic system be capable ofallowing proper operation of the individual system. Criteria for system suitability are based on factorsincluding soil type and parcel size. In much of Horry County, the native soils and other physical factorsgenerallyresultinresidentialparcelsizerequirements of approximately one half acre, with requirementsfor even largerminimum lot size in some portions of the County and smaller lots allowed in someareasunder specific soil and capacity conditions. In areas where wells and septic tanks are needed fordevelopment,requiredsetbacksbetweenwellsandseptictanksalso result in larger lot size requirements.Larger lots generallymeanhigher costsper residence, although it should be noted that septic systemsare most oftenemployedinthemoreruralareasoftheCountywherelandpricestendtobelower.Currentareaswithwater and sewer service generally represent themoredenselypopulated areas of the County,while wells and septic tank usage prevails amonghousingintheunincorporatedandruralareas.The City of Conway provides water and sewer services within the majority of itscorporate boundariesand to any property owner located adjacent to the City whoagrees tobeannexed into theCity. TheCityalsoprovideswaterservice toa largeportionofthenearbyunincorporatedarea. TheCityofMyrtleBeachprovideswaterandsewerserviceswithinitscorporateboundariesandtodevelopmentsadjacenttothe Citywhose owners agree to be annexed. The City of North Myrtle BeachoperatesitsownwaterandsewersystemthatservestheCityaswellastheTownofAtlantic Beach. The City also extends utility services toadjacent unincorporated areas under certain circumstances such as annexation and CommunityDevelopmentBlockGrant activity. TheTownof Loris provides sewer servicewithin the City andto somesurrounding areas. The Town purchases water from Grand Strand Water and Sewer, but maintainscontroloverwaterservice,pipes,andmeters. BucksportWaterSystem, Inc.provideswatertoresidents inthewesternarea of theCountyandtheLittleRiverWaterandSewerageCo,Inc.provideswaterandsewerservices to residents in the eastern area of the County between the Intracoastal Waterway and theWaccamawRiver.

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InsuranceRates– Home insurance premiums are an often overlooked cost that can significantly impacthousing affordability. The cost of insurance is a growing factor in overall housing costs in Horry County.Insurance rates for single‐family homes and multi‐family dwellings are computed using a number offactors such as age, size, and value of the home. Two highly influential factors in the cost of residentialinsurancearelocationandtheleveloffireprotection.

Home insurance premiums in much of the County are heavily impacted byproximity to the coast.Horry County is in a coastal area considered at‐risk to hurricane damage, winds and flooding byinsurers. Insurance costs for homeownerswithin proximity to the coast have continued to rise, withsome premiums more than doubling from the previous year. There has been an inevitable rise inpremiums in recent years due to massive losses from major storms such as Hurricane Katrina. Theincrease in premium costs not only impact homeowners in the immediate proximity of the coast, butresidents located deeper inland. Many top insurers will not issue new homeowner policies in thecoastal region unless the insured i s a current cus tomer . For the f i r s t ‐time homebuyer , t h i s p re sen t s adauntingandcostlyhurdle.

Local government can also play a significant role in the cost of insurance through the provision ofadequate fire protection. The financial impact of the local commitment and dedication to providingadequate fire service to residents is evidenced most clearly in actual insurance costs. Insurancecompanies use aclassification system provided by the Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) todetermine thelevel of fire protection for each insured home. ISO is an independent statistical rating and advisoryorganization that collects and analyzes information on a community’s public fire protection and assigns apublicprotectionclassification.Classifications range from 1 to 10, with Class 1 representing the best publicprotection and Class 10 indicating no recognized protection. Factors that contribute to the assignment ofclassifications include the effectiveness of the fire department in receiving and dispatching fire alarms, thenumber of fire stations, the amount andthe availability of water needed to fight fires, training provided tofire fighters, and maintenance and testing of equipment. In addition, the distribution of fire stations andservice throughout the jurisdiction weighs heavily in the determination of theclassification.Propertiesthatarelocatedmorethanfiveroadmilesfromafirestation are not considered to have adequate fire protectionand therefore receivehigher numeric ISO classifications. Since water availability for fire protectioncomprises40% of the total ISO rating, areas served by municipal or other waterservicesenjoylowerISOratings.Staffing for the department consists of over 320 full time career staffand over300 volunteers. TheDepartment is split intothree battalions geographically. Currently, the department operatesnineteenAdvancedLifeSupportambulancesthroughoutthecounty.Thecountyoperatesthirty‐ninestationsbetweenthecareerandvolunteerstaff.The City of Conway provides fireprotectionservicewithinitscorporatelimitsandforanextendedserviceareaofoneto fivemilesaround theCityasestablishedby contractwithHorryCounty. Threestations arestrategically located throughout the City.Fire Department staffingincludes32salariedemployeesand14volunteers. The ISO rating within the City of Conway is Class 3, with a Class 5 rating for the extendedservicearea. The City ofMyrtleBeachprovides fireprotectionservicewithinthecorporate limitsandalsoanextendedserviceareaestablishedbycontractwithHorryCounty.SixstationsarestrategicallylocatedthroughouttheCity. TheCityboastsanISOratingofClass1–onethe lowest ISOratings intheWaccamawregionandtheState.

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HealthCareFacilities–Accesstohealthcareiscriticaltopeopleofallincomes,butitis of particular concernto the elderly, families with children, and persons with special needs or disabilities. Decisionsconcerning theexpansionofexistinghealthcare facilities and construction of new sites in Horry Countyand the region are influenced mainly by SCDHEC. As detailed later in this study, area residents areservedbythreehospitalsystemsandoneregionalVAfacility,aswellasanetworkofmedicalcenters,stateoperatedhealthdepartmentsandnon‐profithealthclinics.

Employment,Housing and Transportation Linkage – As detailed in Part Three,major employmentcenters within the County are concentrated in the moreurbanized areas located along the US Highway17 corridor that runs north‐souththrough coastal communities includingMyrtle Beach, the US Highway501 corridor that links Myrtle Beach and Conway, and in the Conway area. Major medical centers, anumberofK‐12 schools, and all institutions of higher education inHorryCountyarealsolocatedalongornear transit routes. Fixed‐route transit is available through The Coast Regional Transit Authority, whichprovides service tomany of themajor employers inHorry County. However,manyCounty residents findit difficult to secure affordable housing within proximity of public transportation. With publictransportation availability in the County limitedprimarily to fixed‐routes along major highways, alongthe coast and in Conway,mostof theCounty’s residents remaindependentonprivate transportation totravel to work, to health care, to institutions of higher education, and to essential serviceproviders. Formany residents employed in the coastal communities including Myrtle Beach, it is difficult to findaffordable housing within proximity of public transit,necessitatingtheuseofprivatetransportation. ThedisconnectbetweenthelocationofaffordablehousingoptionsandtransportationtoemploymentcentersisacriticalissueinHorryCounty.

HomeSalesandConstruction‐The importance of fair housing in the realtor community is evidenced bythe inclusionof the issue in the profession’s Code of Ethics.The Coastal Carolinas Association ofRealtors,representing 3,200 realtors in a trade market that includes Horry and Georgetown counties, regularlyprovides information to its members on the provisionof fair housing. A number of classes are held eachyear by the local Coastal CarolinasAssociationofRealtors that included issuesrelated to fairhousing. Fairhousing is also a leading issue with the South Carolina Association of Realtors. As part of its continuingeducation curriculum for licensed realtors, the SC Association offers acourse on diversity issues one totwo times a year and a Fair Housing course on anongoingbasis,bothwithinitscurriculumandto localrealtorassociations.

TheSouthCarolinaHomeBuildersAssociation(SCHBA)hasidentifiedtheprovisionoflow‐income housingas a priority and works closely with the other members of theAffordableHousing Coalition of SouthCarolina (AHC) to promote the provision of low income housing in the State. The AHC is a nonprofitorganizationthatbringstogethermembers from corporations, nonprofit groups and organizations suchas the Home Builders Association and the Association of Realtors to search for ways to enable theconstruction of more low income housing to meet the growing demand.The SCHBAviews many of thefactors that impede the provision of low income housing to befactorsthatalsoaffecttheprovisionofhousing at all levels. The Association actively works to alleviate unnecessary costs incurred throughfederal, state and local governments. Such costs include excessive fees for various permits, water andsewerconnections,andthecostsassociatedwithmeetingwhattheyconsidertobeexcessiverequirementsfor construction or land disturbance. Both the SCHBA and the AHCworkedtoensurethepassageofthenewSouthCarolinapredatorylendinglegislation.

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PublicandPrivateSectorPartnerships‐Stategovernmentagencies,nonprofits, localgovernments,and theprivate sector areamong the myriad of public and private providers of direct and supportive services toindividuals and families in need of affordable housing in Horry County. Both informallinkagesandsmallerscale formal liaisons exist between individual agencies, local governments, and organizations for referrals,resource allocation, and other services as well as formal integration of services where feasible. Theprovision of affordable housing in the County increasingly relies on the combined efforts of the publicsectorand private property owners. A number of private non‐profit organizations also workclosely withlocal, state and federal sources to provide affordable housing in HorryCounty.

Visitability inHousing ‐Visitable structures enable impaired persons to visit family or friends and alsoenablepersonswithoutdisabilities tomaneuverwhenpushing strollers, delivering appliancesorotherlargeobjects. Unlike accessibility, where the building must be constructed to accommodate mobility‐impairedpersons, visitability provides less accessibility than such homes and applies to units not required to beaccessible. The achievement andmaintenanceofvisitability inhousingreliesheavilyuponprivatepropertyownercompliance. According to the HUD definition, a building is visitable if at least oneentrance is atgradeandapproachablebyanaccessiblemeans(suchasasidewalk)andiftheentrancedoorandallinteriordoorsonthefirstfloorareatleast34incheswide(with32inchesofclearpassagespace).

Within the context of fair housing, the concept of visitability must be considered for Section 8rent‐assisted housing – both tenant‐based and project‐based. In HorryCounty, both types of affordablehousing exist. The Housing Authorities of Conway and Atlantic Beach own and manage 338 publichousing units, while theMyrtle BeachHousing Authority has no public housing units.Many of the unitshave ground floor access and are therefore easily accessible to persons with physical limitations. TheConway and Myrtle Beach Housing Authorities provide Section 8 housing vouchers tomore than 1,050familiesinHorryCounty. Thesefunds,givendirectlytotheheadofhousehold, are used to obtain housingin privately‐owned units in the HousingAuthority’s service area. Most of the County’s assisted rentalhousing developmentsincludeunits thatarespecificallydesigned forhandicapped residents, andmanyoftheunitsareeithersingle‐familyunitsormulti‐familyunitswithgroundflooraccess.

In Horry County and the Cities of Conway and Myrtle Beach, construction of multi‐ family dwellingsmust adhere to the 2012 International Building Code (IBC). The International Building Code includesprovisions for accessibility forpersonswithphysicaldisabilitiesormobilityissues.AlthoughtheCodedoesnotspecificallyaddressgrade level access, itdoes require anADA compliant accessible route that enablesallresidents, includingthosewithphysicaldisabilities, topark theircarandaccess theirhousingunit. TheCodedoesnotrequireawidthof34inchesfortheentrancedoorandallinteriordoorsonthefirstfloor,whichwouldbepreferredforhandicappedresidents.It instead prescribes a standardminimumdoorwidth of 32inches. While access toinfrastructure such as sidewalks varies between housing developmentsandjurisdictions, sidewalks are available to many single‐family homes and duplexesconstructedwithin municipal limits, in multi‐family developments, and to homes located within housingdevelopments. The2012InternationalBuildingCodeincorporatesAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA)standards that require a percentage of housing units to be designed or be able to be altered toaccommodate a mobility‐impairedperson. TherequirementisbasedonaslidingscalethatrequiresaminimumnumberofADAcompliantunitsaswellasanadditionalnumberofadaptableunitsthatarenotfullycompliantbutcanbeeasilymodified. Forinstance,a65‐unitapartmentcomplexmusthaveoneADAcompliantunitandthreeadaptableunits. Complexeswithlessthan50unitsareonlyrequiredtoinclude two adaptable units, while complexes with more than50unitsmusthaveat leastoneADAcompliantunit.

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FairHousingEnforcement‐Responsibility for enforcement of fair housing practices has been delegatedvia theSouth Carolina FairHousing Law totheSouthCarolinaHumanAffairsCommission(SCHAC). Enactedin 1989, the SC Fair Housing Law gives the SCHAC jurisdiction toinvestigate all fair housing complaints intheState. TheCommission isempoweredtoreceive,reviewandinvestigatecomplaintsandhastheauthoritytoenforcetheSCFairHousingLaw,whichmayincludemediation.Astheenforcementagent,theCommissionhas the power to hold administrative hearings, examine and copy records, take testimonyorstatements,issuesubpoenasandseekcourtenforcement.

As part of thedetailedprocess outlined inPart Four, complaints relating to theprovision of fair housingmust be made in writing and filed within 180 days after the alleged discriminatory housing practiceoccurs. Noticeof thecomplaintmustbemadetoboththecomplainantandrespondent.TheCommissionisthen required to complete the investigation and the final administrative disposition of complaintswithin a prescribed time limit. Fair housing complaints and subsequent investigations must be keptconfidential,withcriminalsanctionspossibleifconfidentialityisbreached.Horry County, the Cities of Conway and Myrtle Beach, and the Waccamaw Regional Council ofGovernments (WRCOG) work individually and jointly to promote theprovisionoffairhousingchoiceforallresidents.ActivitiesandprogramsprovidedbyHorry County, Conway, Myrtle Beach, and WRCOG include:HorryCounty RefersfairhousingcomplaintstotheWaccamawRegionalFairHousingCounciland/ortheColumbia

HUDOffice,forintakeandfurtherreferraltoappropriateagencies. Addresses issues related to fair housing choice through the newly formed Affordable Workforce

HousingCommission. ParticipatesintheWaccamawRegionalCouncilofGovernments(WRCOG)FairHousingCouncil. TaskstheCounty’sGrantsCoordinatorwithfairhousingprograms–monitoring,referral,education,

distributionofmaterials,andcoordinationwithcommunitygroups,theCitiesofConwayandMyrtleBeachandWRCOG.

Workswithcommunitygroups–localfaith‐basedorganizations,highereducationinstitutions,Head

Startprograms,andotheravailable forums–to identifyandobtainadditionalresourcestoexpandconsumer credit counseling, education, and awareness opportunities among low income andminorityresidents.

Monitors HomeMortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data to identify changes or patterns in lending

practicesthatimpactlowincome,minority,andspecialneedspopulations. UndertakesfairhousingactivitieswithmunicipalitiesandtheWRCOG. Advertises information about fair housing laws on the City and County public access television

channels,which includes contact information on fair housing complaints and a toll‐free telephonenumber.

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Obtains informationrelatedto fairhousing fromlow incomeresidents throughpublichousingandcommunitymeetings.

Provides informational brochures available at County offices, libraries, recreation centers, and

communitycenters,aswellasfromlocalrealestateagentsandlendingprofessionals. ProvidesmonthlyclassestotheRealtor’sAssociationonfairhousingandfairhousingissues.

CityofMyrtleBeach

Providessurveillanceandmonitoringof fairhousing lawsthroughtheMyrtleBeachHumanRightsCommission and forwards housing complaints and apparent violations to the S.C. Human AffairsCommissionforinvestigation,reviewandrulings.

ProvidesaHousingHotlineforresidentstolodgefairhousingcomplaintsandrequestinformation. ProvidesofficialannualrecognitionbyCityCouncilofFairHousingMontheachApril.

WaccamawRegionalCouncilofGovernments ‐WRCOG, as part of its commitment to fair housingunder the US Department ofHousing and Urban Development’s Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI)conducts awide range of fair housing activities. The EOI offers a comprehensiverange of support for fairhousing activities, providing funding to State and localgovernment agencies and nonprofit organizationsfor products and initiatives intended to educate and inform the general public and housing marketrepresentatives on equal opportunity and fair housing concepts and requirements in the sale, rental, andfinancingofhousing.In addition to these local initiatives, the SC State Housing Finance and DevelopmentAuthority (SCSHFDA)and HUD’s regional Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity also provide ongoing training andoutreach to financial institutions (lenders) and real estate professionals about the programs available tothem and their clients through the SHFDA and HUD. Continued communication and collaboration withpublic and private sector entities will facilitate expanded education and outreach initiatives to enhanceawarenessofaffordableandfairhousingissueswithinHorryCounty.

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ActionPlantoAddressPreviousFindingsHorryCountyremainscommittedtoensuring"theabilityofpersons,regardlessofrace,color,religion,sex,handicap,familialstatusornationalorigin,ofsimilarincomelevelstohaveavailabletothemthesamehousingchoices."Assuch,theCountywroteanActionPlantoaddressthesiximpedimentissuesfromthepreviousAI.Theactionstrategiesfollow.

Issue1—“Thereareindicationsthatdiscriminationbasedonthebasisofconditionssuchasrace,adisability,economicstatus,nationalorigin,andlanguagebarriers,isafactorinobtainingaffordablerentalhousinginHorryCounty.“

Actionstrategiesinclude:

Issues related to fair housing choice for discussion and deliberation by the Horry CountyAffordable/WorkforceHousingCommission.

Continuetoprovideinformation(inEnglishandinSpanish)relatedtofairhousinglawsandcontactinformation for fair housing complaints on the Horry County, Conway and Myrtle Beach accesschannels.

Collect information on fair housing issues and potential violations in conjunction withneighborhoodcommunitymeetingsandpublichearings.

Continue referral of housing discrimination complaints received directly to the Horry CountyCommunity Development Office, through the Myrtle Beach Fair Housing Hotline. The Myrtle BeachHuman Rights Commission monitors complaints from the Housing Hotline and forwards thecomplaintstotheS.C.HumanAffairsCommission.

Work closely with the Cities of Conway, Myrtle Beach, and the WRCOG Fair Housing Program tosupport fair housing activities that coordinate and disseminate fair housing awarenessinformation, including programs to the public, neighborhood groups, realtors, non‐profitorganizations,faith‐basedorganizations,andotherrelatedgroupsthroughoutHorryCounty.

Continue promotion of the Horry County Community Development and WRCOG Fair Housingwebsitesandthedevelopmentanddistributionofadditionalmediaandmaterials.

Seekpartnershipswithmunicipalities,WRCOG,K‐12schools,highereducation,libraries,financialinstitutionsandotherrelatedorganizations toeducaterenters, including teensandyoungadults,onrenterrightsandresponsibilitiesaswellas financialmanagementstrategies toenablethemtomovetowardself‐sufficiency.

Seekopportunitiestocoordinateawarenessanddisseminateinformationaboutfairhousingissuesand awareness through community activities such as health fairs, housing meetings, and otheroutreachactivities.

Expand participation in fair housing awareness promotion efforts such as FairHousingMonth toincreaseawarenessandsupportforfairhousinginitiativesamongthegeneralpublic,localofficials,financialinstitutionsandtheprivatesector.

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Issue2‐“Minorityandlow‐incomeresidentsareexperiencingagreaternumberofdenialsforhomepurchaseloans.“


Continue to support local groups such as Habitat for Humanity thatwork to provide affordablehomesandseekviablefinancingoptionsforpotentialLMIhomebuyers.

Continue to develop and disseminate fair housing awareness materials and programs to localrealtors, the Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors, Horry‐Georgetown Home BuildersAssociation,andresidentialdevelopers.

Explore funding sources and seek partnerships for the development of a down payment assistanceprogramforCountyresidents.

Work with community partners (including local faith‐based organizations, adult educationproviders,higher education institutions,HeadStartprograms,high schools andother forums) toseek additional avenues to build education, counseling, and awareness on issues includingconsumercreditandfinancialmanagementamongminorityandlowincomeresidents.

Work with the community to educate potential LMI homebuyers on the importance of credithistory,debt‐to‐incomeratioandcollateralinfuturehomebuyingendeavors.

SupportlocalandStateeffortstoeducatethepublicontheperilsofpredatorylendingandonhowtoreadandunderstandcontracts,includingaddressinglanguagebarriersbyworkingwithHispanicserving organizations to promote greater understanding of financial tools, options, legal rights, andrisks.

Issue3—“ThesupplyofaffordablehousinginHorryCounty,forpurchaseandforrent,isinadequatetomeetcurrentandfuturedemands.“

ActionStrategiesinclude:

Continue to participate in themonthlymeetings and support thework of theHorry CountyAffordable/WorkforceHousingCommission.

Explore funding mechanisms for a down payment assistance program for LMI homebuyers.Developpartnershipsthatwouldincreasetheavailabilityofsafe,decentaffordablehousingtoincludehousingrehabilitationandupgradestoaccommodatetheneedsofdisabledresidents.

Identifywaystoreducelandcostsforthedevelopmentofaffordablehousing.

Educate local developers and builders on funding assistance programs available for thedevelopmentofaffordablehousing.

Explore ways to assist multiple owners of inherited property in navigating and possiblyexpeditingtheprocessofobtainingcleartitlestotheproperty.Cleartitlesarerequiredinorder to obtain amortgage for home construction, purchase amanufactured home, and torefinance.

ContinuetosupporttheWaccamawHOMEConsortium.

Work to identify and pursue potential funding sources and leverage partnerships to support

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affordablehousingobjectivestoincludegovernmentalandnon‐traditionalfundingsources.

Explore possible incentives for the private development of affordable housing units, to include feereductionsandzoningincentives.

Support the HOME Consortium's funding of designated CHDOs for eligible housing relatedactivities.

Support local housing authorities in the continuation of LMI programs and projects aimed atincreasingtheamountandqualityofaffordablehousingresourceswithintheCountyandintheireffortstosecureadditionalfundingforhousingassistanceforCountyresidents.

Support local non‐profit housingorganizations in their efforts to improve and expandaffordablehousingoptionsinHorryCounty.

Promote diversity (economic, geographic, and cultural) in the appointment of local boards andcommissionsthatdealwithlanduseregulation,permittingandenforcement.

Support efforts byHorry County,municipalities and independent fire districts to upgrade andexpand fire protection services that lower ISO ratings and lower insurance costs for Countypropertyowners.

Support federal, state and local efforts to explore initiatives that can alleviate escalatinginsurance costs in coastal areas that threaten housing affordability (such as the Grand StrandCoastalAlliance).

Actively support the efforts of area non‐profits and service providers thatwork to providesupportiveservicesforLMIresidentsandparticularlyforspecialpopulations.

Periodically review regulations, procedures and policies to identify potential barriers fordevelopers of affordable housing and encourage zoning, regulations, and communitydevelopmentproposalsthatpromotefairandequalhousingopportunities.

Continue to integrate affordable housing concepts into the local government consolidated planandcomprehensiveplanningprocess.

Identify and promote the use of potential tax credits at the state and federal levels to assistdeveloperswithmakingaffordablehousinganoption.

Issue4—“Thelackofpublictransportationremainsasignificantbarrierforlowandmoderateincomeresidentsandspecialneedspopulations.“


Support efforts to improveandexpand the capacity and reliabilityof thepublic transit system inHorryCounty.

EncouragethecontinuedeffortsofCoastRTAtokeeppublictransportationratesaffordableforLMIresidents.

Seekopportunitiestoparticipate in transitplanningactivitiesat theCountyandregional levels topromotethejobs/housing/transportationlinkage.

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Encouragesupportofalternativemodesoftraveltoincludewell‐designedsystemsofwalkwaysandtrails within proximity of affordable housing that provide residents with safe, inexpensivetransportationalternativestoaccessjobs,educationandservices.

Continue to integrate affordable housing concepts within the transportation, housing, economicdevelopmentandcommunityfacilitieselementsoftheComprehensivePlans.

Issue5— “Theprevalenceof tourism and service sector jobs inHorryCounty reducesunemploymentbutmaskstheprecariouseconomicstanding,lackofjobsecurity,andthelowwagesofmanycountyresidents.“


Continue to support efforts by Horry‐Georgetown Technical College and the Horry CountySchool District to increase access to advanced training and education opportunities forresidents, particularly in high‐demand, higher wage occupations such as health care,construction,andeducation.

Continue to support theworkoforganizations involved in jobscreation in recruitinghigher‐techhigher‐wageemployersanddiversifytheeconomicbaseofHorryCounty.

Work with elected officials, community partners and economic developers to promote theperceptionandrecognitionofaffordablehousingasaneconomicdevelopmentissue.

Workwith institutionsofhighereducationandcommunitypartners topromoteentrepreneurialawarenessandeducationamonglocalresidents.

Promote workforce development efforts, including Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programsaimed at strengthening the skill levels and employability of lower income individuals, theunemployed,andtheunderemployed.

Issue6‐ “Theattainmentofaccess to fairhousingand suitable livingenvironments forallHorryCounty residentswill require theplanning and implementationofhousing opportunities acrosstraditionaljurisdictionboundaries.”


Provide a suitable living environment for residents by conducting, participating in, andencouragingeffortsincludingHorryCountyCommunityDevelopmentandHOMEConsortiumconsolidated plans and annual action plans, County and local land use planning, regionaltransportationplanning,planningandreviewofpublicutilitiesincludingwaterandsewer,publictransportationplanning,planningforparksandrecreationalfacilities,andcleanupofenvironmentalhazards.

Continue to utilize CDBG funding and seek additional resources to improve availability andaccessibilityofresidentstoadequatepublicfacilities,services,infrastructureandothercriticalcommunityneeds.

Encourage and support efforts bymunicipalities and service providers in the provision ofsuitablelivingenvironmentsthroughneworimprovedavailabilityandaccessibilitytopublicfacilities,services,infrastructure,andothercriticalcommunityneedsforLMIresidents.

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Promote the provision of a suitable living environment through new or improved services thatpromotesustainabilityinneighborhoodsorcommunitiesbysupportingeffortsandinitiativesaimedatbalancingeconomicopportunitieswithaccesstohousingandcommunityfacilities.

Explore programs and funding sources for the elimination of blighted areas and conditions in LMIareasandtheprovisionofadequateinfrastructure.

Coordinatewithmunicipalitieswithin Horry County to collaboratively address the need for fairhousingaccessandsuitablelivingenvironmentsandfacilitatecross‐jurisdictionalefforts.

ActionsTaken

HorryCountyiscommittedtofairhousingissues.TheCountyhasworkeddiligentlytoexpanditsFairHousingeffortsandaddressimpedimentsidentifiedintheHorryCountyAnalysisofImpedimentstoFairHousing(AI),whichwasfirstcompletedinDecemberof2009andofwhichthisdocumentrepresentsitsfirstupdate.

TheHorryCountyCommunityDevelopmentofficeoptedtofocusonIssue#1(identifiedabove)forYear5ofCDBGfunding,whichisthe2012‐2013programyear.

Issue#1:Thereareindicationsthatdiscriminationonthebasisofconditionssuchasdisability,economicstatus,nationalorigin,andlanguagebarriersisafactorinobtainingaffordablerentalhousing.

HorryCountyhasrecentlyhiredabilingualemployeethatwillbeabletoassistclientsinEnglishandSpanish.

The Community Development Department hosted the 2013 National Community DevelopmentAssociation's yearly conference. 117 attendeesnationwide attended. Fair housing issueswerediscussedalongwithotherrelevanttopicsregardingcommunity/economicdevelopment.

TheGrantsCoordinatorteachesaNewMember'spresentationattheCoastalCarolinaAssociationofRealtors.Todate,thecoursesthatweregiveninthe2012‐2013fiscalyearwereJune27,2012;July25,2012;August29,2012;September26,2012;October31,2012;November28,2012;December5,2012;andJanuary30,2013.

Inadditiontoteachingfairhousing,severalfairswereheldatdifferenttimesthroughoutthefiscalyear,and the Grants Coordinator gave out fair housing literature to the following: A Father' Place, HorryCountySchoolDistrict,RacePathCommunity,andtheMemorialDayBikeweekend.

Both the County and theWaccamawCOG provide assistancewith filing fair housing complaints tocallerswhobelievetheyhaveexperienceddiscrimination.TheCountyhascontractedwiththeCOGtoprovideservicesforbothEnglishandSpanishspeakingindividuals.

The County has partnered with the Veteran's Affairs office to offer Fair Housing materials todisabledveteranswhocometotheirofficeforotherservices.

Horry County Affordable Housing Commission works with the County Community DevelopmentOffice to hold town meetings regarding housing rehabilitation, essential repairs, and emergencyrepairs.Fairhousingliteratureisdistributedalongwithaquestionandanswersession.

Inyear6,theCommunityDevelopmentOfficewillcontinuetofocusonfairhousingissuesasithasinyear

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5.Staffplansonareviewtoseeifthereareanynewissuesthatwillcomeupregardingfairhousinganddealwiththemaccordingly.

Issue #5: “The prevalence of tourism and service sector jobs in Horry County reducesunemployment,butmaskstheprecariouseconomicstanding,lackofjobsecurity,andlowwagesofmanyoftheCounty'sresidents.“

In the 2012‐2013 program year, Horry County funded A Father's Place $40,000 toward workforcedevelopment training. In addition $30,000 was funded for Street Reach. Street Reach, a homelessshelter, purchased lawncuttingequipment, tools, andausedvan.This isbeingused for training thehomeless,whoareworkingwiththeCityofMyrtleBeach'sPublicWorksDepartment.ThecrewisbeingtrainedbyPublicWorkstocleanuplitter,cutgrass,trimgrass,andotherappropriatelandscapingforthecity.Eachisbeingtrainedandgivenajobskill.WearehopingtocontractwiththeWIAboardtofundemployerssothatemployerscanreceiveapartialreimbursementforhiringtrainedlow‐incomeworkers.

AFather'sPlacetrained295low‐incomeresidentswith68receivingRecognizingtheneedforeconomicdevelopment,theCommunityDevelopmentofficehasseveraleconomicdevelopmentgrantsthroughtheDepartmentofCommerce(DoC).EarthshirtInc.hashired79workersandpurchasedabuildingwithpartialgrantfundingfromtheDoCfromtheGovernor'sClosingFund.

FrontierInc.hashiredover100peopleattheircallcenter.AvCrafthashiredover50people.Horry

Countyisproactiveinapplyingforgrantsforeconomicdevelopmentandtoattractnewbusinessestotheareawithsuchitemsastaxabatement,grantfunding,andlocaldollars.

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Conclusions&Recommendations

The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing for Horry County points to multipleand, inmanycases, interrelated areas of need. These impediment issues emerged from an extensive review ofcurrent policies and practices in both the public and privatesectors, interviews with key serviceproviders, and a detailed examination of socio‐economicdata. Eachmajorneedissummarizedasfollows, along with a brief overview of the existing conditions surrounding each issue andproposed implementation strategiestoaddressidentifiedresourcegapsandneeds. Alistofsamplemeasures that can be used to assess progress in mitigating impediments to fair housing is alsoincludedforeachkeyissue.

Impediment 1: There are indications that discrimination on the basis of conditions such asdisability, economic status, national origin, and language barriers is a factor in obtainingaffordablerentalhousing.Assessment:Whilethereisnosoundstatisticalordocumentedevidenceofpatterns,policiesorpractices that either intentionally discriminate against protected classes or exert a disparateimpactonthemwithregardtoobtainingaffordablerentalhousing, theFairHousingForumandsubsequentinterviewswithserviceprovidersrevealedanecdotalinformationrelatedtoperceiveddiscriminationbasedonfactorssuchasdisability,economicstatus,nationalorigin,andlanguagebarriers. However, without the investigation and resolution of recorded complaints via the SCHumanAffairsCommissionor theHUDOfficeof FairHousingandEqualOpportunity, it is verydifficulttodocumenttheextentofthisproblem.

Strategies:

I. Include issues related to fair housing choice for discussion and deliberation by theHorryCountyAffordable/WorkforceHousingCommission.

II. Adopt a Fair Housing Ordinance for Horry County and encourage all County

municipalitiesthathavenotyetdonesotoadoptfairhousingordinances.

III. Continue toprovide information related to fairhousing lawsandcontact informationfor fair housing complaints on the Horry County, Conway and Myrtle Beach accesschannelsandwebsites.

IV. WorkcloselywiththeWRCOGFairHousingProgramtosupportfairhousingactivitiesinHorryCountyandregionally,toincludecontinuedparticipationontheWRCOGFairHousingCouncil.

V. Continue to collect information on fair housing issues and potential violations in

conjunctionwithneighborhoodandcommunitymeetingsandpublichearings.

VI. Continue referralofhousingdiscriminationcomplaints receiveddirectly to theHorryCountyCommunityDevelopmentOffice,throughtheMyrtleBeachFairHousingHotline,andreferrals frompartnerorganizationsrelated to fairhousing issues incooperation

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with the SC Human Affairs Commission and the SC HUD Office of Fair Housing andEqualOpportunity.

VII. WorkcloselywiththeCitiesofConwayandMyrtleBeachandtheWRCOGFairHousingProgram to coordinate and disseminate fair housing awareness information andprograms to the public, neighborhood groups, faith‐based organizations, programsserving disabled residents and other related groups throughout the County throughcontinuedpromotionof theHorryCountyCommunityDevelopment andWRCOGFairHousing websites, distribution of fair housing materials, promotion of Fair HousingMonth,andthedevelopmentanddistributionofadditionalmediaandmaterials.

VIII. Workwithlocalgovernmentstodiscourageexclusionaryregulationsandpolicies.

IX. Seek partnerships with municipalities, WRCOG, K‐12 schools, higher education,financialinstitutionsandotherrelatedorganizationstoeducaterenters,includingteensandyoungadults,onrenterrightsandresponsibilitiesaswellasfinancialmanagementstrategiestoenablethemtomovetowardself‐sufficiency.

X. Workwith theCitiesofConwayandMyrtleBeachand theWRCOG tocoordinateanddisseminate fair housing awareness information and programs in conjunction withother municipalities, financial institutions, and the real estate and constructionindustry.

XI. Seekopportunities to facilitatecollaborationon fairhousing issues throughquarterlymeetings of the WRCOG Fair Housing Council, participation in Affordable HousingSymposiums and Forums, presentations to community groups, and outreach tomunicipalities,therealestateindustry,andhousingdevelopers.

XII. ExpandparticipationinfairhousingawarenesspromotioneffortssuchasFairHousingMonthtoincreaseawarenessandsupportforfairhousinginitiativesamongthegeneralpublic,localofficials,financialinstitutionsandtheprivatesector.

Measures:I. FairHousingcomplaintsreferredtoSCHumanAffairsCommissionandtheHUDOffice

ofFairHousingandEqualOpportunity

II. Distributionoffairhousingmaterials

III. Presentations made to community groups, neighborhood groups, faith‐basedorganizations,organizationsservingdisabledresidents,andotherrelatedgroups

IV. Presentations and meetings with local governments, real estate professionals andhousingdevelopers

V. PromotionofFairHousingMonth

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VI. ParticipationintheWRCOGFairHousingCouncilandrelatedsymposiumsandforums

Impediment 2:Minorityandlowincomeresidentsareexperiencingagreaternumberofdenialsforhomepurchaseloans.Assessment:Loansarearequisiteresourceforhomeownershipandmaintenancefor lowandmoderate income groups.Without financing, LMI individuals cannot purchase or rehabilitatehousing.A reviewofHomeMortgageDisclosureAct (HMDA)data forHorryCounty indicatesdebt‐to‐income ratio, credit history and lack of collateral are themostcommonfactors indenialsof Horry Countymortgageapplicants. Debt‐to‐income ratiowas the leading factor in loan denialsfor Caucasians(26%)andHispanics(29%). However,credithistorywas by far the most prevalentcause of denials for African‐Americans, accounting for nearly one half (41%) of all applicationdenials. Credit history was a slightly less significant factor in denials for Caucasians (18%) andHispanics (29%). Lack of collateral was the second leading factor in loan denial for Caucasians(24%) but was only the third leadingcauseofdenials forAfrican‐Americansat11% and Hispanics(14%).

Debt‐to‐income ratiowas theprimary reason for loandenial forboth female applicants (28%) andmale applicants (30%). Lack of collateral was the secondmost common denial reason for maleapplicants (21%)whilethesecondaryreasonfordenial forfemaleswascredithistoryat26%,

An examination of loan denial by income group reveals that a lackof credithistory is the leadingcause of denials in the v e r y l o w ( 3 9% ) a n d l o w ‐ i n c o m e ( 3 3% ) groups, and is thesecondary reason for denial in the moderate and middle income groups. D eb t t o i n c ome r a t i o is theprimaryreasonfordenialinthemoderate,middleandupperincomegroupsandisthesecondarycausefordenial in the v e r y low and l o w ‐ income groups.The percentage of denialsbased upon credit history and debt‐to‐income ratio decreased as income increased, while thepercentageofdenialsbecauseoflackofcollateralincreasedasincomeincreased.

Strategies:

I. Continue to support local groups such asHabitat forHumanity thatwork to provideaffordablehomesandseekviablefinancingoptionsforpotentialLMIhomebuyers.

II. ContinuetoworkcloselywiththeCitiesofConwayandMyrtleBeachandtheWRCOG

FairHousingProgramtodevelopanddisseminatefairhousingawarenessmaterialsandprograms to local realtors, the Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors,Horry‐GeorgetownHomeBuildersAssociation,andresidentialdevelopers.

III. Encourage local support for service providers to expand existing Consumer CreditCounseling and First Time Home‐Buyer programs with funding assistance wherepossible.

IV. Explore funding sources and seek partnerships for the development of a down‐paymentassistanceprogramforCountyresidents.

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V. Work with community partners to seek additional avenues to build education,counseling, and awareness on issues including consumer credit and financialmanagement amongminority and low income residents to include local faith‐ basedorganizations, adult education providers, higher education institutions, Head Startprograms,highschoolsandotherforums.

VI. WorkwithcommunitypartnersincludinglocalfinancialinstitutionsandorganizationssuchasHabitatforHumanitytoeducatepotentialLMIhomebuyersontheimportanceofcredithistory,debt‐to‐incomeratioandcollateralinfuturehomebuyingendeavors.

VII. PeriodicallymonitorHMDAdataforchangesorpatternsinlendingpractices,especiallythosethatimpactlow‐incomeresidents,minorities,andotherspecialpopulations.

VIII. SupportlocalandStateeffortstoeducatethepublicontheperilsofpredatorylendingandonhowtoreadandunderstandcontracts, includingaddressing languagebarriersbyworkingwithHispanic servingorganizations topromotegreaterunderstandingoffinancialtools,options,legalrights,andrisks.

IX. BuilduponstrongCRArecordsandtheinterestoflocalbankinginstitutionstomobilizepublic/private community‐based partnerships to improve financial literacy amongspecialpopulations.

Measures:

I. HMDAdataforHorryCounty

II. Promotionalandeducationalmaterials,events,andothermaterials

III. Inventoryofconsumereducation/creditcounselingprovidersandparticipationrates

IV. Mediacoverage

V. PartnershipsdevelopedtoinformandeducateLMIresidentsontherequirementsandresponsibilitiesrelatedtohomepurchase

VI. Communityproviderinterviewsandfeedback

VII. Interviewsandfeedbackfromlenders

VIII. CRAreportsofareafinancialinstitutions

Impediment 3:ThesupplyofaffordablehousingintheCounty–bothforpurchaseandforrent–isinadequatetomeetcurrentandfuturedemand.Assessment:Provisionoffairhousingandtheavailabilityofaffordablehousingarecloselylinked.While not strictly a fair housing issue, the impact of affordability on housing choice cannot be

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overlooked.AlthoughhousingconstructioninHorryCountyrosesignificantlyinthepastdecade,mostnewhousingunits arenot affordable to residentswith lowandmoderate incomes. In themore rural areas of the County, residential construction activity has been significantly slower,makingaffordablerentalhousingespeciallyscarceintheseareas.Inaddition,manyofthehousingunitsthatareaffordableareunsafeand/orsubstandardandincriticalneedofrepair.Thereisalsoa pressing need for safe, decent and affordable housing that can accommodate the needs ofdisabled residents. The shortage of affordable housing is most acutely evidenced in the longwaitinglistsforSection8housingvouchersforCountyresidents.MedianhousingvaluesinthefastergrowingareasofHorryCountyhavesignificantlyoutpacedtheStatemedian value. Housing prices in areas of close proximity to employment centers such asMyrtleBeachandConwayarenowtooexpensiveforpersonswithlowandmoderateincomes.Inaddition, rising land prices and escalating insurance costs in these coastal areas are drivinghousingcostsfurtherbeyondthereachofLMIresidents. Duringdifficulteconomictimes,manyresidentsfindthemselveswithoutthemeanstoafforddecenthousingandareincreasinglyatriskforhomelessness.Strategies:

I. Continue to participate in and support the work of the Horry CountyAffordable/WorkforceHousingCommission.

II. Exploremechanismsandfundingsourcesforthedevelopmentofahousingtrustfund

for the development of new affordable rental housing units and for down‐ paymentassistanceforLMIhomebuyers.

III. Explorepartnerships,fundingandprogramsthatwouldincreasetheavailabilityofsafe,decent affordable housing to include housing rehabilitation and upgrades toaccommodatetheneedsofdisabledresidents.

IV. Explorewaystoreducelandcostsforthedevelopmentofaffordablehousing.

V. Educatelocaldevelopersandbuildersonfundingassistanceprogramsavailableforthedevelopmentofaffordablehousing.

VI. Explore ways to assist multiple owners of inherited property (heir’s property) innavigatingandpossiblyexpeditingtheprocessofobtainingcleartitlestotheproperty,which is needed to obtain a mortgage for home construction, to purchase amanufacturedhome,andtorefinance.

VII. Continue to support theWaccamawHOME Consortium and other community‐ basedorganizations in their efforts toprovide funding for loans, down‐payments andotherfinancialassistance for thepurchaseorrehabilitationofhomes for lowandmoderateincomehouseholds–bothforrentalandhomeownership.

VIII. InpartnershipwiththeHOMEConsortiumandinconcertwithcommunitypartnersandprivate entities, work to identify and pursue potential funding sources and leverage

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partnerships to support affordable housing objectives to include governmental andnon‐traditionalfundingsources.

IX. InconjunctionwiththeCitiesofConwayandMyrtleBeach,explorepossibleincentivesfortheprivatedevelopmentofaffordablehousingunits, to includefeereductionsandzoningincentives.

X. Support the HOME Consortium’s funding of designated Community Housing

DevelopmentOrganizations(CHDOs)foreligiblehousingrelatedactivities.

XI. Support local housing authorities in the continuation of LMI programs and projectsaimedatincreasingtheamountandqualityofaffordablehousingresourceswithintheCounty.

XII. Support local housing authorities in their efforts to secure additional funding forhousingassistanceforCountyresidents.

XIII. Support localnon‐profithousingorganizations in theirefforts to improveandexpandaffordablehousingoptionsinHorryCounty.

XIV. Promotediversity – economic, geographic, and cultural – in the appointment of localboards and commissions that deal with land use regulation, permitting andenforcement.

XV. Support efforts by Horry County, municipalities and independent fire districts toupgradeandexpandfireprotectionservicesthatlowerISOratingsandlowerinsurancecostsforCountypropertyowners.

XVI. Supportfederal,stateandlocaleffortstoexploreinitiativesthatcanalleviateescalatinginsurancecosts incoastalareasthat threatenhousingaffordability,suchas theGrandStrandCoastalAlliance.

XVII. Actively support the efforts of area non‐profits and service providers that work toprovidesupportiveservicesforLMIresidentsandparticularlyforspecialpopulations.

XVIII. Along with the Cities of Conway and Myrtle Beach, periodically review regulations,procedures and policies to identify potential barriers for developers of affordablehousing and encourage zoning, regulations, and community development proposalsthatpromotefairandequalhousingopportunities.

XIX. Continue to actively support the efforts of theHomeAlliance, Inc., theHorry CountyHomeless Task Force, the Conway and Myrtle Beach Housing Authorities, and otherarea organizations that plan for andprovidehousing and supportive services for thehomelessandthoseatriskofhomelessness.

XX. ContinueparticipationinthedevelopmentoftheTenYearPlantoEndHomelessnessinHorryCountyandsupportimplementationofthePlanonceitiscompleted.

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XXI. Continue to integrate affordable housing concepts into the local government

comprehensiveplanningprocess.

Measures:I. NumberofresidentsonSection8waitinglist

II. NumberofresidentsreceivingSection8vouchers

III. Constructionofaffordablehousingunits

IV. Numberofhousingunitsupgradedand/orrepaired

V. Promotionalmaterials,proclamations,events,andothermaterials

VI. Mediacoverage

VII. Zoningandlanduseregulationsrevisionsandupdates

VIII. ComprehensivePlanupdates

IX. Serviceandhousingproviderinterviewsandfeedback

X. Medianhomeprices

XI. Medianrents

XII. Medianageofhousingstock

XIII. Boardandcommissioncomposition

XIV. HMISdata

XV. Affordable/WorkforceHousingCommissionmeetingagendasandminutes

Impediment 4: Public transit does not provide an effective link between lower incomeneighborhoodsandthecity’seasternneighborhoodswhereasworkerscannotaccessemploymentAssessment:Thelowerincomesofmanyarearesidents–exacerbatedbyphysicalandgeographicaccess limitations of vulnerable populations such as the elderly, single‐ parent households,immigrantswithoutdriver’s licenses, rural residents, and residentswithdisabilities–make theavailabilityofaffordableandreliabletransitanecessitytomaintainemployment,receivesupportservices, and access vital health care and other support programs. The Coast RegionalTransportationAuthorityprovidesserviceonregularlyscheduledroutesservingthecommunitiesofAynor,MyrtleBeach,Loris,SurfsideBeach,GardenCity,Conway,NorthMyrtleBeach,Murrells

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Inlet,Pawley’sIslandandGeorgetown.On‐demandserviceisalsoavailabletoseniorcitizensanddisabledresidents.However,theselimitedroutesareproblematicformanyLMIresidents,forcingthose who do have access to the system to schedule work and other obligations around thelimitationsof available transit servicesor leaving them todependon family and friends. ManyresidentslivinginmoreaffordablehousingfoundinruralareasoftheCountydonothaveaccesstopublic transportation. Access topublic transportation isparticularlycritical fordisabledandelderly residents,who rely heavily on public transportation for essential access to health care,employment and shopping. The location of housing supply within the context of overallaccessibility to these critical services and resources can either create or reduce barriers toaffordablehousingandhousingchoice.Strategies:

I. SupporteffortstoimproveandexpandthecapacityandreliabilityofthepublictransitsysteminHorryCounty.

II. EncouragethecontinuedeffortsofTheCoastRTAtokeeppublic transportationrates

affordableforLMIresidents.

III. Seek opportunities to participate in transit planning activities at the County andregionallevelstopromotethejobs/housing/transportationlinkage.

IV. Encouragesupportofalternativemodesof travel to includewell‐designedsystemsof

walkwaysandtrailswithinproximityofaffordablehousingthatprovideresidentswithsafe,inexpensivetransportationalternativestoaccessjobs,educationandservices.

V. Along with the Cities of Conway and Myrtle Beach, continue to integrate affordablehousing concepts within the transportation, housing, economic development andcommunityfacilitieselementsoftheComprehensivePlans.

Measures:

I. Expandedpublictransitroutesandscheduling

II. Increasedtransitridership

III. Regionaltransportationplansandprojects

IV. ComprehensivePlanupdatesandrevisions

V. ZoningOrdinanceupdatesandrevisions

VI. Alternativetransitinfrastructureinvestmentinwalkways,greenwaysandbikeways

VII. Routeplanningandmapping

VIII. Interviewsandfeedbackfromserviceproviders

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Impediment 5: The prevalence of tourism and service sector jobs in Horry County reducesunemployment,butmaskstheprecariouseconomicstanding,lackofjobsecurity,andlowwagesofmanyoftheCounty’sresidents.Assessment:ThehighcostofhousingintheCounty’surbancommunitiesisdrivinglowerincomeresidents furtherwestward from the coast and into the rural portions of Horry County. Thismove often requires lengthy commutes to job opportunities and does little to advance housingchoice among the area’sworking poor.Many residents are commuting substantial distances toemployment centers in Conway and the Grand Strand. While housing is often less expensiveoutside of themajor employment centers, additional commuting costs and access barriers canquickly offset those savings. In addition, the service industry, particularly the hospitality andtourismsector,istheprimarysourceofemploymentforworkersinHorryCounty.Althoughmoreplentiful,theseserviceandretailsectorjobsoftenpayfarlessthanjobsinothersectorsandofferfewerbenefitsandtenuous jobstability.Lowerearningsandbenefits translate intoadecreasedability to afford housing and significantly diminished housing choice. Much of the availablehousingstockisneitheraffordablenorattainablewithonlyminimumwageearnings.Forinstance,whilethe2008FederalMinimumWagewasonly$5.85anhour,aHorryCountyhouseholdhadtoearn $14.88 per hour for 40 hours a week to afford a two‐bedroom unit at the area’s FMR.AlthoughtheFederalMinimumWageincreasedto$7.25inJune2009,housingpricesarestilloutofreachevenformanyfamilieswithtwofull‐timeminimumwageearners.Withoutaccesstoadvancededucationandtrainingtopreparethemforhigherpayingjobs,lowerincomeandotherdisadvantagedresidentswillcontinuetoberestrictedtolesssecure,minimumwage jobs with little opportunity for advancement. These residents need greater access toadvancedoccupationaltrainingatlocalinstitutionssuchasHorry‐GeorgetownTechnicalCollege,alongwithreliableandaffordablesupportservicessuchasqualitydaycare, transportation,andtheuseofnewinstructionaltechnologiesforanytime,anyplacelearningalternatives.Thisaccesscan significantly reduce the traditional barriers to education formany disadvantaged residentsandimprovetheirpotentialforeducationalandeconomicsuccess.Fromacommunitystandpoint,theadvancedtrainingoflocalresidentswillraiselaggingincomelevels;raisethetaxbaseoftheCounty;raiseeducationalattainmentlevels;assistlocalemployersinfillinghighdemandjobs;fueleconomicdevelopmenteffortstorecruitnewindustry;contributetoadiversifiedeconomy;andcreaterewardingjobopportunitiesclosertohomeforresidents.Toemploy these skilledworkers, local recruitment efforts should target businesses and industriesthatwill provide higherwage job opportunities forHorry County residents. Opportunities alsoexisttopromoteentrepreneurshipandthedevelopmentofsmallbusinessesbylocalresidents.Strategies:

I. Continue to support efforts by Horry‐Georgetown Technical College and the HorryCounty School District to increase access to advanced training and educationopportunitiesforresidents,particularlyinhigh‐demand,higherwageoccupationssuchashealthcare,construction,andeducation.

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II. Continue to support the work of organizations involved in jobs creation includingmunicipalities, the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Commission, localchambersofcommerce,andtheSCDepartmentofCommerceinrecruitinghigher‐tech,higher‐wageemployersanddiversifytheeconomicbaseofHorryCounty.

III. Workwithelectedofficials,communitypartnersandeconomicdeveloperstopromotethe perception and recognition of affordable housing as an economic developmentissue.

IV. Work with institutions of higher education and community partners to promoteentrepreneurialawarenessandeducationamonglocalresidents.

V. Promote workforce development efforts, including Workforce Investment Act (WIA)programs administered by the WRCOG, aimed at strengthening the skill levels andemployabilityoflowerincomeindividuals,theunemployed,andtheunderemployed.

Measures:

I. EducationalattainmentdatafortheCounty

II. Industrialandbusinesslocationandexpansionannouncementstoincludejobscreationandcapitalinvestment

III. HouseholdIncomedata

IV. Employment/Unemploymentdata

V. Commuterpatterns

VI. Postsecondaryeducationenrollment,retentionandgraduationdata

VII. Stateandlocaloccupationaloutlookprojections

VIII. Workforcedevelopmentprogramsandinitiatives

IX. Smallbusinessstart‐upsandloans

Impediment 6:TheattainmentofaccesstofairhousingandsuitablelivingenvironmentsforallHorry County residentswill require the planning and implementation of housing opportunitiesacrosstraditionaljurisdictionalboundaries.Assessment:Aclean,safeandsuitablelivingenvironmentisabasichumanneed.Includedinthisenvironment are factors such as access to clean drinkingwater, sewer service, safe roads, fireprotection andpublic safety services, elimination of unsafe structures harboringunwanted andsometimesdangerousactivities,removalof trashanddebrisonvacantproperties,andaccesstootherbasicservicesthatcontributetoqualityoflife.Therehabilitationoreliminationofblighted

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conditions,theprovisionofessentialcommunityservicesandinfrastructure,andthecreationofeconomicopportunityareimportantfactorsinimprovingthelivesofLMIresidentsandexpandinghousingopportunities.Strategies:

I. In conjunction with the municipalities and WRCOG, provide a suitable livingenvironment for residents by conducting, participating in or encouraging effortsincluding:HorryCountyCommunityDevelopmentandHOMEConsortiumconsolidatedplans and annual action plans, County and local land use planning, regionaltransportation planning, planning and review of public utilities including water andsewer,publictransportationplanning,planningforparksandrecreationalfacilities,andcleanupofenvironmentalhazards.

II. Continue to utilize CDBG funding and seek additional resources and partnerships to

improve availability and accessibility of Horry County residents to adequate publicfacilities,services,infrastructureandothercriticalcommunityneeds.

III. Encourageandsupporteffortsbymunicipalitiesandserviceprovidersintheprovisionofsuitablelivingenvironmentsthroughneworimprovedavailabilityandaccessibilitytopublicfacilities,services,infrastructure,andothercriticalcommunityneedsforLMIresidents.

IV. Promote the provision of a suitable living environment through new or improvedservices that promote sustainability in neighborhoods or communities by supportingefforts and initiatives aimed at balancing economic opportunities with access tohousingandcommunityfacilities.

V. Explore programs and funding sources for the elimination of blighted areas andconditionsinLMIareasandtheprovisionofadequateinfrastructure.

Measures:

I. EliminationofblightedconditionsinLMIareas

II. ImprovedaccesstopublicfacilitiesandcommunityservicesforLMIresidents

III. NeworexpandedinfrastructureavailabletoLMIareas

IV. ImprovedhealthandsafetyofresidentsinLMIareas

V. IncreasedjobopportunityforLMIresidents

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Impediment 7:AdedicatedFairHousingHotlinenolongerexistsintheCounty.Assessment:AtthetimeofthewritingofthisupdatedAI,nodedicatedfairhousinghotlinesexistinHorryCounty.Inthepast,boththeCityofMyrtleBeachandtheWaccamawRegionalCouncilofGovernmentshadfairhousinghotlinesforresidentstocalltoobtainfairhousinginformationandtofilecomplaints.Bothlineshavesincebeendiscontinuedduetolackoffunding.HorryCounty,Conway, Myrtle Beach and the WRCOG all receive fair housing complaints directly via theirrespectiveofficelinesandthenforwardthosecomplaintsontotheSCHAC.Theresultisanoveralllowerleveloffairhousingeducationinthecommunityalongwithacorrespondinglowerlevelofcomplaintsandenforcement.Whencitizensare ignorantof theirrights,violationsgounnoticed.Even when knowledge of violation is present, enforcement is stifled without sufficient, easilyaccessible,andproperlyadvertisedmediumsofcommunication.HorryCountyhasappliedforfairhousingassistancegrant fundingrepeatedlyover thepast fouryearsandhasbeendeniedeachapplicationcycle.Theresulthasbeenadirectdeclineinfairhousingeducationandenforcementinthecommunity.Strategies:

I. Obtain funding to initiate a dedicated Fair Housing Hotline that would be madeavailabletoallHorryCountyresidents,includingresidentsofitsmunicipalities.

II. Obtainfundingtocarryoutmorein‐depthandcomprehensivefairhousingeducation.

III. Increase community awareness of the existing local government telephone numbers

thatcurrentlyfieldfairhousingcomplaintsinHorryCounty,Conway,andMyrtleBeach.

Measures:I. Moreresidentsknowledgeableandassertiveoftheirrightsunderexistingfairhousing

law.

II. Increasedfairhousingcomplaints.

III. Decrease in the number of filed fair housing complaints that are determined to bewithoutcause.

Impediment 8:Localrealtorshave identifiedtheneedformore fairhousing informationandfor the information to be available in other languages for persons with limited Englishproficiency(LEP).Assessment:A lack of fair housingmarketing campaigns in recent years has led to a lack ofgeneral knowledge of basic fair housing standards amongst housing professionals within thecommunity.LEPcommunitiesareparticularlyaffectedbythisastheyareoftensomeofthemostvulnerablepopulations.Strategies:

I. ObtainfundingtoprovideforaFairHousingmarketingcampaign.

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II. Workwithlocalrealtorsandotherhousingproviders,includingCHDOs&CDCs,tocarry

outmorein‐depthandcomprehensivefairhousingeducation.

III. Conductregularlyscheduledworkshopsfor localrealtors, lenders,propertymanagersandotherhousingindustryprofessionals.

IV. Conduct a FairHousingmarketing campaign specifically targeted at LEPpopulations,including flyers, ads and other marketing materials in Spanish distributed in LEPcommunities.

V. EnsureaLEPpopulationeducationalcomponentisincludedinfairhousingworkshopsandtrainingsconductedforareahousingprofessionals.

Measures:

I. Moreknowledgeablehousingindustryprofessionals.

II. Decreasednumberoffairhousingcomplaints.

III. IncreaseinnumberofLEPcitizenseducatedonfairhousing.

Documents

Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choiceand lending institutions, insurance providers, real estate and property management agencies, property owners, and developers. Public Sector