COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – A nonprofit event intended to connect Richland County families with emergency help for rent, utilities and other essentials was abruptly postponed Wednesday, leaving many without the support they expected ahead of the holidays.
Organizers with Brookland Lakeview Empowerment said the delay stems from new federal requirements tied to the Community Development Block Grant program, which is administered by Richland County. The county notified the organization that all CDBG-funded assistance programs must pause until it complies with updated rules issued this month.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development now requires the county to verify the legal status of every person served through the federal SAVE system, managed by the Department of Homeland Security…