SOUTH CAROLINA, USA — Rapid growth in South Carolina is raising concern from some who worry they may not fit in the state’s future.
Census data shows South Carolina is the fastest-growing state in the nation. Advocates for those facing housing instability say all that growth is creating a challenge for those who already live in the state to stick around.
“I think that the prices that they’re having the rent raised are close to Charlotte rent,” Anita Harris, a Lancaster resident, said.
Analysts say that the median rent is more than $1500 a month across the Palmetto State, up nearly five percent from last year.
Before the pandemic, South Carolina already faced a long-term housing crisis and had one of the highest eviction rates in the country, according to Princeton University’s eviction lab.
“Evictions are very cheap to do in South Carolina, and the filing fee is inexpensive. So, it's being used as a collection action,” Sue Berkowitz, a lawyer with the Appleseed Legal Justice Center, said.
Advocates like Berkowitz are hoping to see more done at the state and federal levels.
“We need to make sure that our housing stock is safe and affordable,” Berkowitz said.
People across the state are pushing efforts to help ensure that the fastest-growing state has a place for those who’ve already lived there much of their lives.
“I feel like god is just going to have to get me through this season,” La'queisha Brevard, a Lancaster resident, said.
If you are facing eviction in South Carolina, there are free resources available through SC Legal.