Horry County implements flood zone relocation incentives for low-income residents

The Senate Legislative Oversight Subcommittee in South Carolina convened on February 12, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding disaster recovery and environmental remediation efforts in the state. A significant focus of the meeting was on the housing buyout program aimed at assisting low to moderate-income residents affected by flooding.

The program evaluates the pre-disaster value of homes, using appraisals rather than property tax records, to determine compensation for displaced residents. This approach aims to provide adequate financial support for individuals seeking safe housing alternatives. However, participation in the program has been inconsistent. Officials noted that while some residents have taken advantage of the incentives, others have found the offered amounts insufficient to meet their housing needs. In Horry County, for instance, out of over 70 applicants, only 58 homes were successfully closed out, indicating challenges in meeting the financial expectations of some residents.

The discussion also highlighted the ongoing struggles in areas like Bennettsville, where many homes have been repeatedly flooded, leading to abandonment and a lack of affordable housing options. The committee emphasized the importance of keeping residents within their communities while providing them with safe living conditions.

In addition to housing issues, the subcommittee addressed the environmental remediation project concerning the USS Yorktown, a naval vessel that has been a source of hazardous materials since its donation to South Carolina in the 1970s. The project, funded by $30 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), is being executed in two phases. The first phase involves assessing and inventorying environmental hazards, while the second phase, set to begin this month, will focus on the cleanup of hazardous materials. This initiative is deemed crucial for protecting the environment and supporting tourism and economic stability in the region.

The meeting underscored the ongoing efforts of the South Carolina government to address the dual challenges of disaster recovery and environmental safety, with a commitment to improving the living conditions of vulnerable populations while safeguarding the state's natural resources.