Hardship Information

The minimum rent for public housing is $50.00. A family may request a hardship exemption and the Aiken Housing Authority will suspend the minimum rent the month following the request. The rent will be suspended until the agency can determine 1) whether the hardship truly exists and 2) whether the hardship is temporary or long term.

An Economic Hardship is determined by the following criteria:
When the family has lost eligibility or is waiting on an eligibility determination for a Federal, State or local assistance program. This includes a family that has a member who is a non-citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act who would be entitled to public benefits;
When the family would be evicted because it is unable to pay the minimum rent;
When the income of the family has decreased because of changed circumstances, including loss of employment; and
When a death has occurred in the family.

Temporary Hardship:
The Aiken Housing Authority may determine that there is a qualifying hardship, but it is of a temporary nature. In this case, the minimum rent will be suspended for a period of 90 days from the time of determination. At the end of the 90-day period, the minimum rent will be imposed retroactively to the time of suspension. The Aiken Housing Authority can set up a repayment agreement in accordance with Section 19 of the ACOP for any rent not paid during the suspension period. The family will not be evicted for nonpayment of rent during the suspension period.


Long-term Hardship:
If the Aiken Housing Authority determines a hardship to be long-term, the family will be exempt from the minimum rent requirement until the hardship no longer exists.


No Hardship:
If no hardship is determined, the minimum rent is reinstated, including requiring back payment of minimum rent for the suspension period.

Coronavirus COVID-19

image of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)The Housing Authority of the City of Aiken is closely monitoring developments concerning the Cororanvirus (COVID-19) in our state and considers the health, safety and well-being of our families, staff and others in the community to be our highest priority. We join forces with Governor McMaster, health officials, and others in our state in proactively addressing this public health risk to our citizens.

We are implementing the recommended Center for Disease and Control (CDC) precautionary measures to promote social distancing and limiting our staff travel. We are confident that these actions will allow us to continue essential business functions in a manner that safeguards the health interest of everyone concerned. We also have contingencies in place for staff to work remotely in the event of an office closure.

COVID-19 has been declared a public health emergency on both the state and national level. The Housing Authority of the City of Aiken understands the tremendous health risk that COVID-19 poses to our community. Please be assured that we are taking “all necessary and appropriate actions” to help our state address this public health threat. We will contiue to monitor this rapidly changing situation and provide you with additonal updates as needed.