Scope of the Problem
We now know that at least 5,390 men, women, and children experienced homelessness in Anderson County in 2021-2022. A third of this population are children; about 25% are seniors. While not all people were homeless at the same time nor homeless for the entire year, this total allowed us to assess our county’s current resources and identify the gaps. We found prevention is the most effective and least expensive way to contend with homelessness. Our current mix of programs to move people from homelessness to housing isn’t effective for our different mix of people experiencing homelessness. There are effective ways of investing, short term, to prevent homelessness long term.
Support agencies as they seek to keep people in their homes
Emmanuel's Hammer
Goal - $10,300
We help people who are facing a critical situation that affects the safety, sanitation, or security of their home. Homes we work on are badly deteriorated and unsafe, especially considering our clients often have limited mobility. The funds raised will go directly to repair projects. In-kind donations are also needed: toilets, vanities, windows, walk-in showers, subfloor and flooring. Donated plumbing services would also be very helpful.
AIM
Goal - $24,000
We assist low-income homeowners to remain in their homes by providing ramps and other necessary repairs that threaten the health and safety of their families. We are raising funds for gap funding to help complete projects that require extra funding that is not allowed per the grant. Our goal is $24,000 and this will cover on avg. 10 Homes.
Rebuild Upstate
Goal - $85,800
By keeping residents in their homes, we are minimizing the number of low-income individuals who would otherwise need to search for affordable housing. As we expand to reach more people in Anderson County, we are raising funds and in-kind donations for a truck, trailer, and tools.
Salvation Army
Salvation Army has the Stringer Emergency Lodge, the only shelter in our area.
$1,075
Raised of $120,100
Elements
Prevention
This is any action that keeps a household from becoming homeless. This can include weatherization, aging and disability friendly modifications, food, and other basic needs. Additionally, supportive action from transitions such as being discharged from residential health care; leaving foster care, military service or the county detention center.
Intervention
This is an action that connects people to services. This can include access to the internet, local health literacy, healthy movement and nutrition, addressing mental health needs, access to benefits and services with a navigator, access to training and education as a pathway to higher-paying employment. These can be exceptionally effective within a neighborhood’s community center.
Situations
Unknown to themselves, people may be in a circumstance that places them at a higher risk of becoming homeless. In our county, this includes renters who are families with very young children, individuals who are working age and disabled and working age adults who live alone. Additionally, seniors who own a home that has aluminum wiring, or is over 70 years old, or with high utility costs; renting seniors on low fixed income.
Geographies
Our county has 23 neighborhoods of concentrated poverty which impact all who live there. However, there are ten of them that have special characteristics that put them below a critical level of economic resilience, a tipping point. In these ten disamenity neighborhoods we must reduce poverty without community displacement.
Actions
Protect
Making our only emergency shelter, located at the Salvation Army, shine – it’s the brightest part of our county’s homelessness to housing efforts. Each building on their campus needs an energy audit, which will guide our modernization/remodel/refresh.
Preserve
Keeping people in housing they already own. AIM’s Housing program, Rebuild Upstate’s work for safe and health home repairs and Emmanuel’s Hammer family partnerships to rebuild homes and restore hope.
Priority Neighborhoods
Each disamenity neighborhood has a place that acts like an informal community center – a place where positive things happen. After a neighborhood listening session, providing tailored resources and navigators will provide the most dividends for every other component of our county’s safety net. We plan to start with a few that already have programs and partnerships.
Plan
We need additional transitional/shelter housing such as a “silver” shelter, HOPE Village 1 and 2 and McKinney Vento Villages. We also need additional housing units in our county’s inventory for seniors and people with disabilities.
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