According to state officials, not enough South Carolina residents are making use of the South Carolina Home Ownership and Employment Lending Program. Also known as SC HELP, the program is aimed at assisting homeowners facing foreclosure by helping them catch up with delinquent mortgage payments and stay up-to-date on new payments.

Running for its second year, SC HELP is funded by a $300 million federal grant. A number of homeowners have received state aid through the program, but officials say many more could benefit from its services. For instance, while Florence and Darlington counties saw more than 500 homes combined foreclosed on in 2011, only around 30 properties were enrolled in SC HELP. State officials say approximately 18,000 homeowners applied for SC HELP, but only around 5,000 of these applicants completed the entire process.

SC HELP can provide assistance to applicants in several ways. One such service is loan assistance, which provides struggling homeowners with a loan designed to help them make delinquent payments and make their mortgage current. SC HELP also offers monthly payment assistance, helping homeowners make their payments while they search for work and take steps to reach self-sustainability. Finally, the program offers transition assistance to those who cannot avoid foreclosure and need help with transitioning from owning a home to renting.

To qualify for SC HELP services, applicants must meet certain qualifications. For instance, a homeowner applying for monthly payment assistance or direct loan assistance must prove that their delinquent payments were caused by factors outside of their control, such as unemployment or serious illness.

Officials with the program are urging struggling South Carolina homeowners to apply for SC HELP. It's important to realize that there are options out there for fighting foreclosure, and that no one should just sit back and let a bank take their home.

Source: WMBF, "SC HELP funding not being put to use," Crystal Moyer, Jan. 27, 2012