S.C. Code Ann. § 31-3-320

Such an authority may be created by the council of the city adopting a resolution declaring that there is need for such an authority to function in such city. The determination as to whether there is such need for an authority to function (a) may be made by the council on its own motion or (b) shall be made by the council upon the filing of a petition signed by twenty-five residents of the city asserting that there is need for an authority to function in the city and requesting that the council so declare. The council shall adopt such a resolution declaring that there is need for a housing authority in the city if it shall find (a) that unsanitary or unsafe inhabited dwelling accommodations exist in such city or (b) that there is a shortage of safe or sanitary dwelling accommodations in such city available to persons of low income at rentals they can afford. In determining whether dwelling accommodations are unsafe or unsanitary the council may take into consideration the degree of overcrowding, the percentage of land coverage, the light, air, space and access available to the inhabitants of such dwelling accommodations, the size and arrangement of the rooms, the sanitary facilities and the extent to which conditions exist in such buildings which endanger life or property by fire or other causes. The resolution shall be sufficient if it declares that there is such need for an authority and finds in substantially the foregoing terms (no further detail being necessary) that either or both of the above enumerated conditions exist in the city.