For years, Columbia has been dealing with a large homeless population – we even made national news in 2013 for considering tightening laws on loitering + vagrancy, which would have pushed homeless people to either get out or get arrested. The plan did not pass.
Several organizations are attempting to help.
In 2013, the City contracted with United Way to assist with its growing homeless population, paying the organization $322K to run the winter shelter on Calhoun St. + $123K/year to coordinate homeless services in 14 Midlands counties.
Over the past year, Housing First (a partnership of the Palmetto Health-University of South Carolina Medical Group + the Columbia Housing Authority) has moved 52 homeless people into permanent housing via $228K in City funds. Our community certainly seems to get people off the streets + into helping hands.
While nonprofits like Transitions Homeless Center provide permanent housing for 1.8K+ homeless people, reports of disturbances by the homeless (like aggressive panhandling, begging + alcohol/drug abuse) is still a significant issue – most prominently in the Main Street District. ~380 arrests were made in the immediate downtown area in July – the majority a result of untreated mental health issues.
Results?
The effort to aid + house the homeless has been effective. A 2017 census estimated there were ~778 homeless in the city limits – that’s a 48% decrease in 4 years. (This research, however, might be missing a portion of the homeless community – families. The fear of losing their children may prevent homeless families from seeking support.)
