Down Payment Assistance | Rise w/ Living Hope

Rise to Home Ownership

Down Payment Assistance for First-Time and Income-Eligible Homebuyers in South Carolina

Serving Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton & Allendale Counties

At Rise with Living Hope, we understand the challenges that many hardworking families face when trying to purchase their first home. The Rise to Homeownership Program is designed to make homeownership more accessible for low-to-moderate income individuals and underserved families in South Carolina’s Lowcountry.

Our program offers down payment and closing cost assistance to help qualified applicants move from renting to owning, creating a path toward housing stability, financial security, and generational wealth.

What is the Rise to Homeownership Program?

The Rise to Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program is a grant-based initiative that provides financial support for first-time and income-eligible homebuyers. Through this program, families can receive up to $5,000 or more in grant funds to cover

Down payments & Closing costs.

The grant is applied directly at closing and requires no repayment if the home remains your primary residence for five (5) years.

Our mission is to remove financial barriers and promote equitable access to homeownership across the communities we serve.

Please note: Funding is limited and grant amounts and availability may vary by county and are subject to funding availability by area.

Who Qualifies?

To be eligible for the Rise to Homeownership Program, applicants must:

Be a first-time homebuyer (or have not owned a home in the last 3 years)
Have a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
Be purchasing a primary residence in Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, or Allendale County
Obtain a mortgage pre-approval from a licensed lender
Intend to live in the home for a minimum of 5 years
Complete a homebuyer education course through a HUD-approved provider

Why This Program Matters

The Rise to Homeownership Program supports:

Underserved families seeking a fair chance to buy a home
Renters ready to transition to homeownership
Working professionals who contribute to the local economy but face housing affordability challenges
Community development through stabilized neighborhoods and local investment

How to Apply

1. Check Your Eligibility

Make sure you meet the income, location, and first-time buyer criteria.

2. Gather Required Documents

Prepare these documents before applying:

Two (2) months of paystubs
Most recent federal tax return
Two (2) months of bank statements
Credit report (full and current)
Mortgage pre-approval letter
Photo ID for each household member 18+
Sales contract (if available)
Proof of additional income (child support, SSI, etc.)

3. Submit Your Application

Click to Apply

FAQs

Q. Is the grant taxable or does it need to be repaid?

A. The grant is not taxable and does not need to be repaid as long as you remain in the home for five years.

Q. Can I combine this program with other housing assistance?

A. Yes. Our down payment assistance can be layered with other local, state, or federal programs.

Q. What if I sell my home before five years?

A. You may be required to repay all or part of the grant if you do not meet the five-year residency requirement.

Q. How long does the approval process take?

A. It typically takes 2–4 weeks, depending on the completeness of your application and documentation.