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<p><strong>From staff reports</strong></p>
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<p>The SC Stay Plus pandemic-related rent relief program has paid $864,579.10 so far to landlords in Beaufort County to keep residents in their homes. Since August, the program has had representatives in Beaufort County to assist residents struggling with back rent and utility payments due to pandemic-related financial instability.</p>
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<p>The outreach has been very successful, with more than 600 residents seeking help at local libraries; more than 150 households have been approved and received rental assistance.</p>
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<p>Over the last month, SC Stay Plus has received 1,000 more applications since the federal eviction moratorium ended. SC Stay Plus provides payments directly to landlords and utility companies.</p>
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<p>SC Stay Plus representatives have extended and will be available at the Beaufort Branch Library Fridays and Saturdays during October to continue providing one-to-one assistance to residents submitting the application for financial support for past due rent and utilities to renters financially impacted COVID-19.</p>
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<p>County residents who would like to apply can meet with program assistants from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Fridays (Oct. 15, 22, 29) and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays (Oct. 16, 23 and 30) at the Beaufort Branch Library at 311 Scott Street.</p>
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<p>SC Stay Plus applications are collected online and can be accessed from schousing.com/home/sc-stay-plus. For questions and more information, contact the SC Stay Plus call center at 803-336-3420 or toll-free at 1-800-476-0412.</p>
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