What the Greer Housing Authority does

The Greer Housing Authority is a public agency that manages affordable rental housing in Greer, South Carolina. It administers the public housing program in the city and handles tenant screening, lease enforcement, and maintenance of its properties. The authority also manages Housing Choice Vouchers (formerly called Section 8), which let tenants rent from private landlords while the authority pays part of the rent directly to the property owner.

The Greer Housing Authority is not the same as a landlord you can call to complain about a repair. It is a government body that sets policy for its own properties and administers federal housing programs. If you live in a Greer Housing Authority property, your lease is with the authority itself. If you hold a voucher, the authority is your partner in the rental process, but your lease is with the private landlord you choose.

Key Takeaways

  • The Greer Housing Authority runs two main programs: public housing (properties it owns) and Housing Choice Vouchers (rent information for private rentals).
  • To get on a waiting list, you must contact the Greer Housing Authority directly — there is no online portal or central process that covers all programs.
  • Income limits explore to both programs, and they change yearly; the authority can tell you the current limits when you call.
  • Waiting lists for public housing and vouchers are usually separate, and both can be closed when demand is high.
  • If you live in a Greer Housing Authority property, maintenance requests go to the authority's maintenance department, not to a private landlord.

Public housing vs. Housing Choice Vouchers

The Greer Housing Authority owns and operates public housing units throughout the city. These are apartments or houses the authority maintains itself. When you live in public housing, you sign a lease with the authority, pay rent based on your income (usually 30 percent of your gross monthly income), and the authority handles all repairs and upkeep.

Housing Choice Vouchers work differently. The authority gives you a voucher that covers part of the rent on a private apartment or house you find yourself. You choose the property, negotiate the lease with the landlord, and the authority pays its share directly to the landlord each month. You pay the difference. This gives you more choice in where you live, but you must find a landlord willing to accept the voucher.

Both programs have income limits. The authority sets these limits based on the area median income for Spartanburg County. If your household income exceeds the limit, you will not be able to enter either program. The limits are higher for larger households.

How to contact the Greer Housing Authority

The Greer Housing Authority's main office is located at 1 Westridge Drive, Greer, SC 29650. You can reach them by phone at (864) 877-9500. This is the number to call to ask about waiting lists, current income limits, what documents you need to bring, and whether either program is currently open to new applicants.

When you call, have your household size, monthly income, and current address ready. The authority will tell you whether you may be within income limits and what the next step is. If waiting lists are open, they will explain what documents to bring to explore in person. Many housing authorities require you to explore at their office rather than by mail or online.

If you are already a tenant in a Greer Housing Authority property, maintenance requests should also go through the main office or through the property manager at your specific building. Ask your lease or the office which number to call for repairs.

Income limits and rent calculations

Both public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers have income limits based on family size. For a single person, the limit is typically around 50 percent of the area median income; for a family of four, it is higher. These limits change each year, usually in April, so a number that was current last year may not be accurate now.

In public housing, your rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross monthly household income, with a minimum rent that the authority sets (often $25 to $50 per month). If your income drops, your rent drops. If it rises, your rent rises. You report income changes to the authority, and they recalculate your rent at your next lease renewal or when you report the change.

With a Housing Choice Voucher, the authority calculates how much of the rent it will pay based on your income and family size. You pay the rest. If the apartment costs more than the voucher amount, you pay the difference. If it costs less, you pay less. The voucher amount is called the payment standard, and it varies by bedroom size and neighborhood.

Waiting lists and how long they take

The Greer Housing Authority maintains separate waiting lists for public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers. Both lists can be long, and both can be closed when the authority has received enough applications. You can call to ask whether a list is open and, if it is, how long the wait typically is.

Wait times vary widely depending on the program and current demand. Public housing wait times in smaller cities like Greer are often shorter than in larger metros, but they can still range from several months to a few years. Housing Choice Voucher wait times are often longer because demand for vouchers typically exceeds the number available.

When a list is closed, you cannot explore. The authority will tell you when it expects to reopen the list, though that date can change. Some people call back periodically to check, or you can ask if the authority has a way to notify you when the list reopens.

What happens after you are approved

If you are approved for public housing, the authority will contact you when a unit becomes available that matches your family size. You will have a limited time to view the unit and decide whether to accept it. If you accept, you sign a lease and move in. Your rent is set based on your income at that time.

If you are approved for a Housing Choice Voucher, the authority will issue the voucher and give you a important date to find a rental property. You then search for an apartment or house on the private market, negotiate a lease with the landlord, and the authority inspects the property to make sure it meets housing quality standards. Once the inspection passes and the lease is signed, the authority begins paying its share of the rent.

In both cases, you must report changes in household composition, income, or employment to the authority. Failure to report changes can result in overpayment of information, which you may be required to repay.

Lease violations and eviction

The Greer Housing Authority can evict you from public housing for lease violations, including non-payment of rent, damage to the unit beyond normal wear, or criminal activity. The authority must follow South Carolina eviction law, which requires written notice and an opportunity to cure (fix) the problem within a certain time frame, usually 14 days for non-payment.

If you receive a notice to cure or quit, contact the authority when ready to discuss your situation. Some violations can be remedied; others cannot. If you do not cure the violation within the time given, the authority can file for eviction in Magistrate Court. You have the right to appear in court and present your side.

If you hold a Housing Choice Voucher, your lease is with the private landlord, not the authority. The landlord can evict you under South Carolina law. However, if the landlord evicts you for non-payment and the authority has paid its portion of the rent on time, you may have grounds to dispute the eviction or negotiate with the landlord. The authority cannot force a landlord to keep you, but it can advise you on your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for both public housing and a Housing Choice Voucher at the same time?

Yes. The waiting lists are separate, so you can explore to both programs. If you are approved for one before the other, you can accept it and remain on the other list, or you can decline and wait for the program you prefer. Tell the authority if your situation changes so they can update your file.

What if I have an eviction on my record?

The Greer Housing Authority considers eviction history during screening, but a past eviction does not automatically disqualify you. The authority looks at when it happened, why, and whether you have paid any judgment. Call the authority to ask how they evaluate eviction history and whether your specific situation would affect your chances.

Do I have to accept the first unit offered to me?

For public housing, you can usually refuse one unit without losing your place on the list, but refusing a second unit may result in removal from the list. The authority's lease spells out the rules. For Housing Choice Vouchers, you have more flexibility because you find the property yourself, but you must find one within the voucher amount and the authority's standards.

What if my landlord will not accept the Housing Choice Voucher?

A landlord can refuse to rent to you for any reason that is not illegal discrimination. If a landlord refuses because of the voucher itself, that is discrimination in some states, but South Carolina does not have a state law banning voucher discrimination. You can file a complaint with HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity if you believe you were discriminated against based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.

How do I report a maintenance problem in my public housing unit?

Contact the Greer Housing Authority's maintenance department at (864) 877-9500 or through your property manager. Describe the problem and provide your unit number and address. The authority has a timeline for repairs depending on severity — emergency repairs like no heat or water should be addressed quickly, while non-emergency repairs may take longer. If a repair is not made within a reasonable time, you can contact the authority in writing to document the delay.