Housing Navigator Program FAQ

1. What does receiving help from a Housing Navigator involve?

• Housing Navigators work with individuals and families experiencing housing instability to access existing legal and non-legal resources, like:
• Legal representation
• Rental assistance
• Navigators do not provide legal services, but they do refer tenants to the pro-bono eviction diversion clinic, a service that pairs tenants who are behind on rent—but who have not yet received an eviction notice—with lawyers.
• These lawyers can represent that tenant in negotiations with the tenant’s landlord over rent repayment and other issues.

2. Am I eligible to receive help from a Housing Navigator?

• If you are experiencing housing instability of any sort, then a Navigator will try to help you.
• If you are behind on rent, about to be ejected from your home, or are even just worried that you cannot repay your rent going forward, then a Navigator may be able to help you reach resources that could benefit you and help you stay in your home.

3. My landlord filed to evict me - will a Housing Navigator still be able to help me?

• Yes, but, if you already have a pending eviction, we strongly urge you to contact South Carolina Legal Services immediately!
• You should call 1-(888) 346-5592 as soon as possible.
• You can also fill out South Carolina Legal Service’s online intake at https://www.lawhelp.org/sc/online-intake.
• Tenants facing eviction should be aware that there is currently a federal eviction moratorium in place that prevents many evictions.
• In order to trigger the moratorium, tenants must fill out a declaration and give the declaration to their landlord.
• Tenants who submit a declaration generally should confirm that their landlord has received the declaration.
• Finally, South Carolina tenants should also be aware that, if an eviction has been filed against them, they typically need to request a hearing to avoid being automatically evicted.
• Tenants usually can call the magistrate court directly to request a hearing
• Tenants should also review the paperwork they've received to see how best to request a hearing in their case.

4. What's the Housing Navigator process?

• After filling out the intake form or contacting the Navigators program, you should receive a phone call from a Navigator within 24-48hrs.
• From there, the Navigator will work with you to see what types of services might be benefit you.
• If you have not heard from a Navigator within a few days, please email columbiaNAACPhousingnavigators@naacpnet.org.

About the Housing Navigator Program:

This program is a project of the NAACP, South Carolina NAACP, and Columbia Branch NAACP.

The Housing Navigator program is:

+ Open to all Richland County, South Carolina residents

+ Free for all

+ Confidential and private

Who We Serve: Currently, the program serves Richland county residents, but we hope to expand to cover the rest of South Carolina as soon as we can.

Background: In response to South Carolina's urgent housing crisis, the NAACP, SC NAACP, and Columbia Branch NAACP launched the Housing Navigator Program in February 2021. The Housing Navigator Program helps individuals and families who are behind on rent, facing an eviction, or struggling with homelessness to access the financial, legal, and social resources they need to retain safe and stable housing. Housing Navigators are community volunteers who receive training and support to assess housing issues and help individuals in need. The Navigator Program is a community-based solution to a community problem - most people don't know where to turn for help when they're behind on rent or facing a housing issue.

History of the Columbia Branch NAACP: The Columbia Branch NAACP was founded on February 17, 1917 by James Weldon Johnson. Since then, the Columbia Branch NAACP has worked diligently to uphold the mission and vision of the NAACP in the city of Columbia and surrounding areas. The NAACP's principal objective is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of minority group citizens of the United States and eliminate racial prejudice. The NAACP seeks to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes.

If you are interested in learning more about the Columbia Branch NAACP or how to become a member, visit their website here.

Our Partners: The Housing Navigator Program would not exist without the support of a number of amazing partners and sponsors, including:

• SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center 
• SC Legal Services
• Nelson Mullins
• Richland Library 
• Richland County Bar Association 
• One80 Place 
• City of Columbia 

We are always looking for additional partners and support. If you are interested in partnering with the Navigator program or learning more about how you can get involved, contact us at columbianaacphousingnavigators@naacpnet.org.

Contact Us: If you're interested in joining the program, would like more information, or have thoughts or suggestions, please email us at columbianaacphousingnavigators@naacpnet.org

Events

Upcoming events

Our next event is going to be held on Saturday, October 16th at 1:00 pm. Join us for our virtual new volunteer training on Saturday, October 16th at 1:00pm. Learn how you can help community members facing homelessness and housing insecurity. Join via Zoom: https://naacpheadquarters.zoom.us/j/94365684252 or sign up here to volunteer as a housing navigator: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYyQnW3lZ3fssDSUKyqvrHoPRgVtL2LrTGn28kIMavwLRdcA/viewform