Homelessness in Greenville is a complex issue, one that will take a unified effort to solve.
Several organizations and nonprofits within the community have provided services and support to help individuals exit homelessness for years. However, the population of those experiencing homelessness in Greenville County continues to grow.
According to the S.C. Upstate Continuum of Care, approximately 725 people were identified as homeless in Greenville County in January 2024. This was an increase from the 656 individuals counted in January 2023.
Meghan Barp, president and CEO of United Way of Greenville County, believes the community is not experiencing a homelessness issue but a coordination issue between the organizations working in this space.
“There’s an opportunity for us to do much deeper collaboration as a community to really meet the need of people experiencing homelessness right now in the community,” Barp said.
The need for improved collaboration drove United Way of Greenville County and other community organizations to create of a new community task force. The task force will develop a comprehensive action plan to improve the response to homelessness in Greenville. Greenville City Council received an update of the initiative during a work session on Sept. 23.
“We have this choice to make as a community,” Barp said. “Do we want to come together and create solutions for people experiencing homelessness or do we want to let this issue grow?”
Coming together
The community task force will be made up of a cross-sector of leaders from community nonprofits, businesses, faith-based organizations and civic groups. Some of the organizations involved include the city of Greenville, Greenville Homeless Alliance, United Ministries and more.
The co-chairs of the task force are Carl Sobocinski, founder and owner of Table 301 Restaurant Group, and Sean Dogan, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System’s community health director and pastor at Long Branch Baptist Church.
A council of people who have experienced or are currently experiencing homelessness in Greenville will also formed to provide insight into the creation of the comprehensive action plan.
Barb Poppe and Associates, an independent consulting firm, was also hired to help with the development process. The consultant visited Greenville last week to meet with service providers, business owners, city officials and those experiencing homelessness.
“(Barbara) pointed out we’re in the sweet spot of really being able to get our arms around the current issue before it gets bigger,” Barp said.
The consultant team recommended the task force focus on six focus areas:
- Create a joint command center that would serve as a centralized location for information on homelessness resources.
- Explore permanent supportive housing funding and development opportunities.
- Develop a navigation center that helps individuals experiencing homelessness locate the specific resources they need.
- Educate the public on homelessness to help increase awareness and change the narrative.
- Build the capacity of service providers so that they can help more people.
- Increase data collection, analysis and reporting of homelessness.
A one-year comprehensive action plan is expected to be launched in late November or early December. The task force is also working on developing the key elements for a three-year comprehensive plan. This plan is expected to be launched in early 2025.
Task Force Members
Members of the task force include:
- Greater Greenville Mental Health Center
- City of Greenville
- Greenville County Human Relations Commission
- Greenville Homeless Alliance
- Greenville Housing Authority
- Greenville Housing Fund
- Miracle Hill
- United Ministries
- New Horizon Family Health Services
- QuikTrip
- Soteria CDC
- Spinx
- Table 301
- The Salvation Army
- Triune Mercy Center
- Upstate Continuum of Care
- SHARE
- Upstate Warrior Solution
- United Way of Greenville County
- Piedmont Health Foundation
- Poinsett Hotel
- Hollingsworth Funds
- Hathaway Foundation
- Bon Secours
Funding
Meghan Barp, president and CEO of United Way of Greenville County, explained they are also working to identify federal funding to help support initiatives that relate to homelessness. Approximately $9 million of new funding has been identified and applied for.
- $550,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice to support the Greenville Police Department’s mental health initiatives
- $1.3 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to support eviction prevention
- Up to $7 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to support new affordable housing development
Resources and Services
Greenville is home to a number of organizations that provide services to help individuals experiencing homelessness. Improved collaboration is believed to help create an easier path for individuals experiencing homelessness to get the services they need and find long-term supportive housing.
Several factors can contribute to why a person is experiencing homelessness. Therefore, a range of services are needed within the community to help these individuals including:
- Homeless shelters
- Food
- Addiction Assistance
- Housing assistance
- Healthcare services
- Mental health assistance
- Domestic violence services
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