Finding Low-Income Housing in Myrtle Beach, SC: A Practical Guide

If you need low-income housing in Myrtle Beach, you will usually be working with the Myrtle Beach Housing Authority (a local housing authority) and HUD-subsidized properties in Horry County. This guide walks through how people typically find and apply for affordable rentals, what offices to contact, and what to expect after you submit paperwork.

Quick summary for Myrtle Beach renters

• Main official channel: local housing authority serving Myrtle Beach and Horry County.
• Key options: public housing, Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), and HUD-subsidized apartment complexes.
• First step you can take today: call or visit the local housing authority office and ask if waiting lists are open for Section 8 or public housing.
• Be ready with photo ID, proof of income, and Social Security numbers for your household.
• Expect waiting lists, lottery-style selection, and requests to update your information.
• Watch for fees or “guaranteed” approvals from anyone not ending in .gov or from unlicensed agents—those are red flags for scams.

1. How low-income housing typically works in Myrtle Beach

In Myrtle Beach, low-income housing usually means one of three things: public housing units managed by the local housing authority, Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) that help pay rent at private rentals, and HUD-subsidized apartment complexes where rents are income-based. The federal agency behind these programs is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), but in day-to-day life you interact mostly with your local housing authority office and individual apartment property managers.

Public housing is typically owned and managed by the housing authority, with set unit locations and strict lease rules, while Section 8 vouchers let you rent from private landlords who agree to the program’s rules. HUD-subsidized or “income-based” apartment complexes in Myrtle Beach and nearby towns often have their own separate applications and waitlists, even though they also receive HUD funding.

Key terms to know:

• Housing Authority — Local public agency that runs public housing and often manages Section 8 vouchers.
• Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) — A subsidy paid to a landlord on your behalf, you pay the rest of the rent.
• Public Housing — Apartments or homes owned by the housing authority, with income-based rent.
• Project-Based / Income-Based Unit — A specific apartment is tied to the subsidy; if you move out, the assistance stays with the unit, not you.

2. Where to go in Myrtle Beach and what to do first

The main official touchpoints for low-income housing in Myrtle Beach are:

• Local Housing Authority Office – Handles public housing and often Section 8 voucher applications, maintains waiting lists, and issues decision letters.
• HUD-Subsidized Apartment Management Offices – Individual apartment complexes that participate in HUD or Low-Income Housing Tax Credit programs, each with its own intake process.

A concrete first step you can take today is to contact the housing authority that serves Myrtle Beach. Search online for the official Myrtle Beach or Horry County housing authority portal and look for a website that uses .gov; you can also find a phone number there. When you call, you can say something like: “I live in Myrtle Beach and need low-income housing. Are your Section 8 and public housing waiting lists currently open, and how do I apply?”

If they say lists are open, ask whether you should apply online, in person, or by mail, and whether they have any application packets you can pick up. If lists are closed, ask if they have an interest list or notification list you can join and whether they can refer you to HUD-subsidized properties currently accepting applications.

3. What to prepare: documents, information, and choices

Housing programs in Myrtle Beach typically require proof that you are who you say you are, live where you say you live, and earn what you say you earn. Getting your documents organized before you contact agencies often makes the process smoother.

Documents you’ll typically need:

• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or state ID) for adult household members.
• Social Security cards or official SSA documents showing Social Security numbers for everyone in the household, if available.
• Proof of income, such as recent pay stubs, Social Security benefit letters, unemployment benefit statements, or proof of zero income (like a written statement or income affidavit, depending on the program).

You may also be asked for birth certificates for children, your current lease or a statement from your landlord, and recent bank statements to verify assets. If you’re homeless or facing homelessness, bring any shelter letter, eviction notice, or written proof from a service provider verifying your situation, as some housing authorities give preference to homeless households or those being displaced.

When you start to apply, be ready to answer questions about: all people in your household, their dates of birth, disability status (if you want to claim a disability preference), and criminal history (especially felonies and drug-related offenses). For some properties, you may need to choose whether you want to apply for senior/disabled units, family units, or both, and this choice can affect which waiting lists you are placed on.

4. Step-by-step: applying for low-income housing in Myrtle Beach

1. Identify the correct official offices

Search for your local housing authority for Myrtle Beach or Horry County, and verify it is an official government site (often ending in .gov or clearly identifying itself as a public agency). Also search for “HUD subsidized apartments Myrtle Beach SC” and then confirm properties by calling their management offices directly, using phone numbers from reputable listing sources or the property’s posted sign.

What to expect next: You’ll learn which waiting lists are currently open, which applications are being accepted, and whether you need to go to an office, complete an online form, or request a paper packet.

2. Gather your commonly required documents

Before you fill anything out, collect IDs, Social Security numbers, and proof of income for everyone in the household. If you’re missing something (for example, you lost a Social Security card), ask the housing authority or property manager what alternative proof they can accept—often they will accept an official Social Security benefits letter or prior tax document while you work on replacements.

What to expect next: Having documents in one folder makes it easier to complete applications, respond to follow-up requests, and attend in-person eligibility interviews.

3. Submit your housing authority application

Follow the instructions from the housing authority—this may mean completing an online pre-application, filling out a paper application, or attending an intake day. Answer all questions honestly, list every member of your household, and double-check contact information (mailing address and phone number), because this is how they notify you of your status.

What to expect next: Typically, you receive either a confirmation number, a written receipt, or a notice in the mail stating you have been placed on a waiting list. This is not an approval—just acknowledgment that you’re in line.

4. Apply directly to HUD-subsidized or income-based apartments

In addition to the housing authority, contact at least 3–5 income-based apartment complexes in or near Myrtle Beach. Call their leasing offices and ask, “Are you accepting applications for income-based or HUD-subsidized units, and how do I apply?” Some will give you a paper form to pick up, others may allow email or online applications, and each will have its own screening process.

What to expect next: You may be placed on separate waiting lists at each property, with different estimated wait times. Some properties may offer faster move-in than the main housing authority programs, especially if they have specific unit sizes open.

5. Respond to follow-up and attend eligibility interviews

When your name moves up on a waiting list, the housing authority or property usually sends a letter or makes a phone call requesting more detailed documentation and possibly scheduling an in-person or phone interview. You’ll need to bring original documents, sign consent forms for background and income checks, and confirm your household details.

What to expect next: After this step, they typically perform income verification, criminal background checks, and landlord reference checks. If you qualify and a unit or voucher is available, you receive a formal offer (for a unit) or a voucher briefing appointment (for Section 8), which explains your responsibilities and search deadlines.

5. Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for

A frequent snag in Myrtle Beach is that phone numbers, mailing addresses, or email addresses change, and people miss their spot on the waiting list because letters are returned or calls don’t go through. To reduce this risk, each time you change your phone number, move, or get a new mailing address, contact every housing authority and property where you applied and submit an official change-of-information form or written update, then keep a copy for your records.

6. Staying safe from scams and finding legitimate help

Because housing involves money and identity documents, scam prevention is critical. Official housing authorities and HUD-related offices do not charge large “application fees” to get you to the front of the line, and they do not guarantee approval in exchange for payment. Look for offices and portals that clearly identify themselves as a government or public housing agency, and be cautious of anyone using social media or private ads who says they can “guarantee” a Section 8 voucher or placement for a fee.

If you’re unsure whether an office or listing is legitimate, you can:

• Call the local housing authority and ask if they recognize the property or program.
• Ask the apartment’s leasing office for the official program name (such as “Housing Choice Voucher,” “project-based Section 8,” or “Low-Income Housing Tax Credit”) and verify the terminology with the housing authority.
• Contact a local nonprofit housing counseling agency or legal aid office in Horry County for free or low-cost advice about tenant rights and fair housing, especially if you suspect discrimination or are being asked for unusual upfront payments.

Rules, preferences, and screening details may vary by city, property, and your specific situation, so always rely on current instructions from the official housing authority or property manager. Once you have identified the correct offices, gathered your documents, and submitted applications, your most important ongoing actions are to keep your contact information updated, respond quickly to any letters or calls, and maintain a file with all confirmation numbers and copies of forms so you can confidently follow up on your housing status.