Section 8 in Richland County, SC
6,940 active Housing Choice Vouchers in Richland County, 86% utilized. 2 housing authorities serve this county. Voucher data as of 2026.
Section 8 payment standards in Richland County (FY2026)
HUD-published metro FMR for FY2026. Payment standards, the amount a PHA actually pays, are set between 90% and 110% of FMR at each PHA's discretion.
| Bedrooms | FMR | Payment standard (90 to 110%) |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency (studio) | $1,032 | $929 to $1,135 |
| 1-bedroom | $1,164 | $1,048 to $1,280 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,276 | $1,148 to $1,404 |
| 3-bedroom | $1,623 | $1,461 to $1,785 |
| 4-bedroom | $1,911 | $1,720 to $2,102 |
Example: at 100% of FMR, a 2-bedroom voucher in Richland County covers up to $1,276 in gross rent, before the tenant's utility allowance. Across the full range a PHA may set: $1,148 to $1,404.
Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in Richland County?
In most of the state, yes. South Carolina has no statewide source-of-income protection, so landlords in Richland County can decline Section 8 applications unless a local ordinance says otherwise.
No statewide SOI protection in South Carolina. Landlords can refuse vouchers.
Informational only, not legal advice. Laws change, so verify current status before acting on a rejection or making a leasing decision.
Richland County in the Columbia metro
Richland County is one of the counties inside the Columbia, SC core-based statistical area. The metro-level view aggregates voucher activity across every housing authority in the CBSA.
See Columbia metro rent limits and PHA breakdown →Housing authorities serving Richland County
Each PHA sets its own payment standard, runs its own waitlist, and does its own inspections. The PHA whose jurisdiction covers a unit's ZIP is the one both tenant and landlord will deal with.
Housing Authority of the City of Columbia
Columbia · PHA code SC002
4,723 Section 8 unitsHousing Authority of the City of Cayce
Columbia · PHA code SC061
41 units total
Find Section 8 apartments in Richland County
VoucherMatch connects voucher holders with landlords who accept Section 8, and it is free for renters. Landlords: listings here reach applicants whose voucher already covers the rent above.
Other South Carolina counties
Voucher counts aggregated from HUD PHA jurisdiction data. Population 416,161 · FIPS 45079.