How to Find Low-Income Housing in Myrtle Beach: A Step-by-Step Guide

Finding low-income housing in Myrtle Beach usually means working with the local housing authority, checking HUD-subsidized apartments, and contacting local nonprofits that handle applications or waitlists. This guide walks through how people in Horry County typically get started, what offices they deal with, and what to expect along the way.

Quick summary: How low-income housing usually works in Myrtle Beach

• Main official office: local public housing authority serving Myrtle Beach/Horry County
• Main programs: Housing Choice (Section 8) vouchers and public/affordable housing complexes
• First next step: Call or visit the local housing authority office and ask if their Section 8 or public housing waitlists are open
• Be ready with: ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income, current lease or homelessness documentation
• Expect: long waitlists, application verification, and written approval/denial or waitlist notice
• Backup options: HUD-subsidized apartment managers, Horry County social services, and local nonprofits/charities

1. Where low-income housing is handled in Myrtle Beach

In Myrtle Beach, low-income housing is typically handled through two main official systems: the local housing authority and HUD-subsidized affordable apartment complexes. The housing authority is the local agency that manages public housing units and often the Housing Choice (Section 8) voucher program for Horry County residents.

To locate the right office, search for the official housing authority for Myrtle Beach or Horry County and make sure it’s a .gov or clearly a government/public agency site. You can also call the city or county government main line and ask: “Which housing authority handles Section 8 and public housing applications for Myrtle Beach residents?”

In addition, some low-income and income-restricted apartments in Myrtle Beach are privately managed but subsidized by HUD. These do not use vouchers but instead offer reduced rent based on income, and you apply directly with the property manager, not the housing authority.

2. Understand the main programs and terms

Most people in Myrtle Beach looking for low-income housing end up dealing with one or more of these:

• Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8): You rent from a private landlord; the housing authority pays part of the rent directly to the landlord and you pay the rest.
• Public housing: Apartments or homes owned/managed by the housing authority with reduced rents for low-income households.
• Project-based or HUD-subsidized apartments: Privately owned complexes where units are reserved for low-income tenants and rent is tied to income.
• Emergency or transitional housing: Short-term housing through shelters or nonprofits for people fleeing domestic violence, fire, or living on the street.

Key terms to know:

• Housing Authority — Local agency that runs Section 8 and public housing and sets local procedures.
• Waitlist — A list you are placed on when no units or vouchers are immediately available.
• Income limits — Maximum income allowed to qualify for assistance, based on household size and area median income.
• Preference — Priority categories (such as homelessness, disability, veteran status, or local residency) that can move you higher on a waitlist.

Rules, income limits, and which programs are “open” can vary over time and by local policy, even within Horry County.

3. What to prepare before you contact anyone

Preparing core documents before you call or apply will typically save time, especially if a waitlist briefly opens.

Documents you’ll typically need:

• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or state ID) for the head of household and often for adult members.
• Social Security cards or numbers for everyone in the household.
• Proof of income such as recent pay stubs, benefit award letters (SSI, SSDI, VA, unemployment), child support printouts, or a letter from an employer.

Other documents often required in Myrtle Beach low-income housing applications include:

• Birth certificates for household members, especially children.
• Current lease, eviction notice, or a letter from a shelter if you are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Bank statements or other proof of assets (for example, if you own a car or savings account).

If you’re missing something, ask the housing authority or property manager what alternatives are accepted (for example, a sworn statement, employer letter, or school records if you cannot locate a birth certificate right away).

4. Step-by-step: How to start the low-income housing process in Myrtle Beach

Step 1: Identify your main official housing contact

1. Find the local housing authority that serves Myrtle Beach and Horry County.

   • Action today:Call the local housing authority office during business hours and ask: “Are your Section 8 and public housing waitlists currently open, and how can I apply?”
   • If you can’t find it online, call the Horry County government main number or the City of Myrtle Beach city hall and ask for the housing authority contact information.

2. Ask what programs they operate:

   • Housing Choice (Section 8) vouchers
   • Public housing properties (they may list property names or neighborhoods)
   • Any local preferences, such as living/working in Horry County, disability, homelessness, or veteran status.

What to expect next: The housing authority will tell you whether their waitlists are open or closed, and whether you apply online, in person, or by paper application. They might give you a date and time when the list will open, which can be very time-sensitive.

Step 2: Gather documents and fill out the application

3. Collect your documents before you start the application.

   • Have your ID, Social Security numbers, and income proof ready in a folder.
   • If the housing authority uses an online portal, scan or take clear photos of documents so they can be uploaded later.

4. Complete the housing authority application exactly as requested.

   • Fill out all household members, income sources, and current housing situation.
   • Be honest about income and family size — false or incomplete information can lead to denial or loss of assistance later.

What to expect next: After submitting, you usually receive a confirmation number, receipt, or written notice that your application has been received and whether you were placed on a waitlist or denied. The letter may list your approximate position on the list or just confirm you’re “active” on it.

Step 3: Apply to HUD-subsidized and income-based apartments

5. Contact HUD-subsidized and income-restricted apartment complexes in Myrtle Beach.

   • Search for “income-based apartments” or “HUD apartments” in Myrtle Beach and verify them through official HUD listings or reputable sites (avoid any that charge you an “application service fee” not listed on the property’s own materials).
   • Call each property’s leasing office and ask: “Do you have HUD-subsidized or income-based units, and are you accepting applications or waitlist forms right now?”

6. Submit applications directly to properties that are accepting them.

   • They will typically ask for the same types of documents: ID, Social Security numbers, income proof, and household size.
   • Some properties may charge a screening or application fee, while others do not; ask before you apply and avoid third-party “listing sites” that ask for extra fees.

What to expect next: Properties usually run a background and credit check, verify your income, and then either add you to a property-specific waitlist or, if they rarely have vacancies, keep your application on file. They may call you when a unit opens, often with little notice, so make sure they have a reliable phone number and mailing address (or email) for you.

Step 4: Use local agencies for backup help

7. Contact Horry County social services and local nonprofits.

   • Call the county social services or human services department and ask if they have a housing stabilization, emergency rental assistance, or homelessness prevention program.
   • Reach out to local charities, churches, and community action agencies in Myrtle Beach that often help with rent deposits, motel vouchers, or short-term housing while you’re on waitlists.

8. If you’re homeless or about to lose housing, ask about coordinated entry or local shelter intake.

   • Many areas, including those around Myrtle Beach, use a centralized intake or “coordinated entry” system where a nonprofit or coalition screens your situation and connects you to shelters, transitional housing, or rapid rehousing.
   • When you call, you can say: “I’m in Horry County and I’m homeless (or about to be). Where do I go for coordinated entry or emergency housing help?”

What to expect next: These agencies may schedule an intake appointment, do a short assessment of your situation, and then either add you to their own internal lists, refer you to shelters, or help you apply for rental assistance to stay where you are.

5. Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for
A frequent snag in Myrtle Beach is that Section 8 and public housing waitlists are often closed or open for only a few days, and people miss the window. To avoid this, ask the housing authority if they have a mailing list, text alert, or bulletin board they use to announce openings, and check it regularly; also ask if you can pre-register for updates or follow their official announcements through city or county channels.

6. After you apply: Follow-up, verification, and avoiding scams

Once you’re on a waitlist or have applied to a subsidized apartment, you still have some ongoing responsibilities.

• Keep your contact information updated. If your phone number, email, or address changes, immediately contact the housing authority and every property you applied to and update them in writing if possible. If they can’t reach you when your name comes up, they may skip you and move to the next person.
• Respond quickly to mail. Housing authorities and HUD properties commonly send time-limited notices asking for updated documents, income verification, or an appointment. Missed deadlines can result in you being removed from the waitlist.
• Report income and household changes. If your income goes up or down, or someone moves in or out of your household, you’re usually required to notify the housing authority or property within a set timeframe listed in your paperwork.

Because housing involves money and personal information, watch for scams:

• Look for .gov addresses when you’re dealing with official housing authorities and call numbers listed on government or property signs, not on random ads.
• Be cautious of anyone who promises guaranteed approval, faster placement, or “special access to Section 8” for a fee — legitimate housing authorities do not sell spots or move you up the list for payment.
• If you’re unsure if something is real, call the housing authority directly and ask: “Is this message or website connected to your office?”

7. When you get selected: Brief overview of what happens

If your name comes up for a Housing Choice (Section 8) voucher:

• You’ll typically attend a briefing at the housing authority, where they explain your voucher amount, rules, and deadlines to find a unit.
• You then look for a private rental in Myrtle Beach or surrounding areas that meets voucher rules and passes an inspection.
• Once a landlord agrees to participate, the housing authority inspects the unit, approves it if it passes, and signs a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract with the landlord; you sign a lease and begin paying your share of the rent.

If you’re approved for public housing or a HUD-subsidized unit:

• The property manager will contact you to review your file, verify income again, and go over house rules.
• You will usually need to pay a security deposit and possibly the first month’s rent, though some nonprofits in Myrtle Beach may help with these upfront costs.
• After signing the lease, you move in and continue reporting any income or household changes as required in your rental agreement.

If you’re unsure what to say when you call, you can start with: “I live in Myrtle Beach and have low income. Can you tell me how to apply for Section 8 or public housing, and if your waitlists are open right now?” Once you’ve made that call and assembled your documents, you’ve taken the key first official step toward low-income housing in Myrtle Beach.