Pet Policy and Tenants Community Service Effective 10/1/2026

Tenant Meeting regarding Updated Pet Policy and Community Service Requirements Effective October 1, 2026

Pets

1. The HA will permit only one pet per household and must be one of the following types of pets:
   1. One (1) spayed or neutered dog, adult weight of no more than 20 lbs., no more than 18" in height; cannot be of a vicious breed*; or
   2. One (1) spayed or neutered** cat which must be declawed; or One (1) fish tank with maximum capacity of 10 gallons; or
   3. One (1) hamster or guinea pig which must be maintained in a cage at all times.
   4. *Vicious breed means any dog evidencing an abnormal inclination to attack persons or animals without provocation.
   5. **If puppy or kitten, spaying or neutering must occur within six (6) months of age.
      
      
2. A pet deposit in the amount of $100.00 is required. The deposit is refundable only if there are no damages attributable to the pet, upon removal of the pet or the unit is vacated, whichever should occur first.
   
   
3. A pet fee in the amount of $100.00 is required. The fee is not refundable and is used to cover reasonable operating costs for the property related to the presence of pets.
   
   
4. Dogs and cats must be maintained within the pet owner's unit. When outside, the pet must be kept on a leash and under the control of the resident or resident's household at all times. Pets are not permitted to remain in common areas, community building, or the HA's office.

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Assistance Animals

EHA also allows residents to have an assistance animal subject to the following conditions and guidelines.  The pet ownership requirements discussed above do not apply to assistance animals.  Assistance animals are considered medical aids, not pets, and thus, are not subject to EHA pet rules or policies, including but not limited to size, weight, and type restrictions, designated areas, and deposit requirements. They are animals that do work, perform tasks, assist, and/or provide therapeutic emotional support for individuals with disabilities.  There are two types of assistance animals:

1. service animals[1], and 
2. animals that do work, perform tasks, provide assistance, and/or provide therapeutic emotional support for individuals with disabilities.[2]

 Assistance animals perform a range of functions for individuals who have a disability-related need for an assistance animal. These functions include but are not limited to:

• guiding individuals who are blind or have low vision,
• alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to sounds,
• providing protection or rescue assistance, 
• pulling a wheelchair, 
• retrieving items,
• alerting persons to impending seizures,
• or providing emotional support to person with disabilities who have a disability-related need for such support.  Emotional support animals are a type of service animal that supports individuals with mental health conditions or disabilities. Unlike service animals who are trained, emotional support animals provide comfort with their presence alone. They don't need to be able to perform specific tasks for their handler but still provide support, companionship, and relief from symptoms of mental health conditions.

EHA may verify whether a resident has a disability or needs an assistance animal. If the disability or the need for the animal is not visible or obvious, EHA will request the following:

1. Disability Verification: Proof the resident meets the legal definition of a disability.
2. Healthcare Professional Letter: A signed letter from a licensed mental health professional or healthcare provider on official letterhead. This document, commonly referred to as an ESA letter, must state the resident has a disability and that the animal provides necessary support or alleviates the symptoms of the disability.

Under South Carolina law H5041, a person who intentionally misrepresents their pet as an emotional support animal or a service animal without proper documentation (an ESA letter) can be subject to fines and legal penalties.  EHA can deny an animal if it poses a direct health/safety threat to others or would cause substantial physical damage to the property.

Community Service & Self Sufficiency Requirements

All residents who are 18 years of age and older are not exempt under the exempt, are required to perform eight (8) hours of community service each month.  This service can be provided at any local community, civic, or charitable organization.  The selection of type and location of community service to be provided is totally left to the discretion of the resident.

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Definitions:

Community Service: The performance of voluntary work or duties that are a public benefit of service to improve the quality of life, enhance resident self-sufficiency, or increase resident self-responsibility in the community.

Community Service is not employment and may not include political activities. 

Exempt individual: An adult who: 

1. Is 62 years or older 
2. (i) Is blind or disabled individual, as defined under 216(i)(1) or 1614 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 416(i)(I); 1382c) and who certifies that because of this disability she or he is unable to comply with the service provisions of this subpart, or (ii) primary caretaker of such an individual. 
3. Is engaged in work activities
4. Meets the requirements for being exempt from having to engage in work activity under the state program funded under part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) or under any welfare program of the State in which the PHA is located, including a state-administered welfare-to-work program.