Residents and local ministries describe gaps in shelter and short-term housing during council public comment

During the public comment period March 10, several residents and local ministry leaders described ongoing homelessness in Aiken, the limits of shelter capacity and the work of local outreach teams to place people into housing and services.

Becky Phillips, who said she is homeless and has cancer, described sleeping outdoors after her trailer burned and asked for housing that includes rules she believes would improve outcomes: "I think the rules on the house should be you have to have a job, no drugs, and no drinking," she said. Phillips said she relies on her service dog and described difficulty finding rental units that accept pets.

Kirk Johnson, co-pastor with Lost Sheep Ministry and the Hope Team, said outreach efforts have helped individuals secure sober living, jobs and identification documents but that local shelter space remains inadequate, particularly ahead of events and busy periods. He referenced a "tiny home village" project being developed down the road and urged continued community coordination.

Lehi Barry, pastor of Created for Impact (C4 Impact), said his group has arranged to lease a property to provide low-cost, short-term apartments for men who already have jobs, beginning April 1. The program will pair housing with financial-literacy training and other services intended to help residents transition to permanent housing.

Theresa Callahan, a resident, reported neighborhood improvements in Pinecrest and nearby areas and asked the city to consider joint city-county meetings to coordinate responses where city and county jurisdictions overlap; she also described recent shootings in her neighborhood and said cameras are being added in some locations.

No council action was taken during the public-comment period; the speakers described ongoing service efforts and requested continued collaboration from city staff and county partners.