State program expands to help older renters

More South Carolina seniors can get help through the Lieutenant Governor's Office on Aging's emergency rental assistance program, which provides up to $1,500 to cover monthly rent after an unexpected financial hardship.

Program managers recently lowered the age limit for eligible applicants to 55; earlier requirements called for applicants to be 60 years of age or older.

In a written statement, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer said the changes make the program "much more effective in reaching those in need."

Applicants still have to make less than certain income levels, and they must be financially able to continue paying rent after the one-time grant. Renters can apply for the grants at www.aging.sc.gov.

Figures of flight

An upcoming International Council of Shopping Centers event will feature a South Carolina economic analyst who has tried to quantify the Boeing Co. buzz in terms of dollars and cents.

Harry Miley of Columbia will go over the economic impact figures in a report he issued about the Boeing expansion last May. The study concluded that Boeing's 787 jet assembly plant, once fully operational, could pump $5.9 billion each year into the state's economy.

The presentation starts at 6 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Francis Marion Hotel.

For advance registration the cost is $30 for ICSC members, and $45 for others. Go to www.icsc.org for more details.

Fill-in funds

A local pool of money that Charleston-area affordable housing developers can borrow from just got another round of cash to deploy. The Lowcountry Housing Trust got $750,000 from the U.S. Treasury Department.

The Charleston-based group provides loans that developers usually group with other financing sources to pay for projects. In turn, they reserve a portion of the housing units for families who are in lower income brackets.

Loans are short-term and come with perks such as no prepayment penalties and small origination fees.

Reach Katy Stech at kstech@postandcourier.com.