Columbia Council hears Rapid Shelter update, readies volunteers for January point‑in‑time count

Columbia City staff on Tuesday updated the City Council on local homeless services, reporting that Rapid Shelter Columbia has permanently housed 79 chronically unsheltered people since November 2022 and urging council members, city staff and residents to volunteer for the HUD‑directed point‑in‑time (PIT) count scheduled in January.

“Here it is the 1st of the year, and we've got big plans for a big census here for our homeless population in January,” Mayor Rickman said, urging broad participation from the community.

Kamisha Hephard, the city’s director of homeless services, walked council through program data and recent initiatives. She said Rapid Shelter Columbia has 46 current residents, has received 827 community referrals and has permanently housed 79 individuals since the program began in November 2022. Hephard also said the shelter has admitted 29 veterans.

Hephard described expanded aftercare work that began in earnest in June 2023. “Since June 2023, 27 residents have received aftercare services with a total of 115 engagements,” she said, noting engagements include transportation to food banks, help updating benefits paperwork and follow‑up calls.

Staff highlighted several local innovations launched in 2023, including an adopt‑a‑pallet pilot that raised nearly $10,000 from churches, businesses and civic groups to help residents with move‑in costs and immediate needs. Hephard said the funds are used for client services — document retrieval, application and fee payments, rent and utility arrears — rather than buying additional pallet units.

A mentorship program set to launch in 2025 will match community volunteers with residents after they move into permanent housing to provide social support and help with daily tasks, staff said. The city’s Rapid Shelter team described faith‑based and civic partners that furnish apartments and provide transitional supports.

Staff also reviewed how the PIT count is run in the Midlands. The count, led locally by the United Way and directed by HUD, takes place in January because colder weather increases the likelihood that people experiencing homelessness are found where outreach teams can reach them. Hephard told council that the PIT count is only one component of the HUD funding application and may not directly increase grant dollars in a linear way.

“You would think that if the unsheltered count was larger, you get more money,” Hephard said, “but the application has multiple components and the PIT is only one piece.” Council members asked for greater clarity about how statewide PIT numbers affect funding allocations; staff said they had been told that the HUD formula includes multiple factors and that the local Continuum of Care administers allocations after receipt.

Staff asked council members to identify locations within their districts where outreach teams should focus and to recruit volunteers. Orientation is required for PIT volunteers; staff said a live orientation will be held Jan. 15 at the library at 2 p.m., with an online option available.

The council approved a motion to move into executive session to discuss contractual negotiations related to homeless services, citing SC Code 30‑4‑70(A)(2).