COLUMBIA, S.C. — Frustrations are high for hundreds of residents still displaced after a deadly gas leak. Many of them have been living out of a hotel for almost a month.
It was 26 days ago when a gas leak changed everything for 411 people, that's how many had to find a new place to live. The Allen Benedict Court complex has 244 units and provided a home to 211 families.
News19 has uncovered one reason for the delay is a housing shortage in Columbia. The waiting list to get into public housing in Columbia is 8,617 applications. The housing authority said they're asking property owners to accept renters with Section 8 vouchers. This could help get residents from Allen Benedict placed faster.
As of February 8, 179 Section-8 vouchers have been issued; 21 residents have signed a lease; and 17 people are waiting on inspections. Some property owners have felt the spike in applicants.
Amanda Brayboy, the property manager at Retreat at Broad River, said they now have a waiting list.
"We are completely out of one bedrooms," Brayboy said. "All we have is two bedrooms, one bath left. There is a $70 difference from what their voucher is, so we can't secure anymore leases for one bedrooms at this point."
Fifty-four residents decided to stay in public housing. Ten residents have been transferred into other public housing units.
So far, Brayboy said they have secured 42 leases to date. But for tenants, moving in isn't as simple as handing over a voucher.
"The way it works is they rent an apartment, housing has to come and inspect the apartment, once it's inspected the residents are then notified by housing that they can come and move in, then we do leases," Brayboy said.