Homeless Services Ad Hoc Committee — Columbia, SC
Date: 2025-04-08
Time: 13:00

HOMELESS SERVICES ADHOC COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA
 TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2025


The Homeless Services Adhoc Committee will conduct a meeting on Tuesday, April
8, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main Street,
Second Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. Members of the public may view the meeting
online at www.columbiasc.gov. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (803)545-
3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov if you have questions regarding this meeting.

 The Honorable William Brennan, District III, Chair
 The Honorable Aditi Bussells, At-Large  The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey, At-Large

 Prior to entering the meeting please silence all electronic communication devices. All
 presenters are asked to speak directly into the microphone for recording purposes.

CALL TO ORDER

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. January 7, 2025 Committee Meeting Minutes

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

2. Update on Recommendations from the Taskforce to Prevent and End
 Homelessness Report - The Honorable Aditi Bussells

3. Point-in-Time Count Summary – Ms. Kameisha Heppard, LMSW, Director of
 Homeless Services

4. Operational Update and Recommendations – Ms. Kameisha Heppard, LMSW,
 Director of Homeless Services

5. Homeless Services Blueprint and Next Steps - The Honorable Will Brennan

EXECUTIVE SESSION

6. Receipt of legal advice relating to matters covered by attorney-client
 privilege pursuant to S.C. Code §30-4-70(a)(2)

  Homeless Services

ADJOURNMENT




 Page 1 of 1

HOMELESS SERVICES ADHOC COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA
 TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2025


The Homeless Services Adhoc Committee will conduct a meeting on Tuesday, April
8, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main Street,
Second Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. Members of the public may view the meeting
online at www.columbiasc.gov. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (803)545-
3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov if you have questions regarding this meeting.

 The Honorable William Brennan, District III, Chair
 The Honorable Aditi Bussells, At-Large  The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey, At-Large

 Prior to entering the meeting please silence all electronic communication devices. All
 presenters are asked to speak directly into the microphone for recording purposes.

CALL TO ORDER

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. January 7, 2025 Committee Meeting Minutes

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

2. Update on Recommendations from the Taskforce to Prevent and End
 Homelessness Report - The Honorable Aditi Bussells

3. Point-in-Time Count Summary – Ms. Kameisha Heppard, LMSW, Director of
 Homeless Services

4. Operational Update and Recommendations – Ms. Kameisha Heppard, LMSW,
 Director of Homeless Services

5. Homeless Services Blueprint and Next Steps - The Honorable Will Brennan

EXECUTIVE SESSION

6. Receipt of legal advice relating to matters covered by attorney-client
 privilege pursuant to S.C. Code §30-4-70(a)(2)

  Homeless Services

ADJOURNMENT




 Page 1 of 1
 1




MEETING DATE: April 8, 2025

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: January 7, 2025 Committee Meeting Minutes
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:


ATTACHMENTS:
  #a: HSAC_MN_010725 (DOCX)




Updated: 3/31/2025 10:12 AM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 2
 1.a




 HOMELESS SERVICES ADHOC COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025


CALL TO ORDER

The Columbia Homeless Services Adhoc Committee conducted a meeting on Tuesday,
January 7, 2025 at City Hall (Mayor’s Conference Room), 1737 Main Street, Second
Floor, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The Honorable Will Brennan, Chair called the
meeting to order at 1:04 p.m. and the following members were present:

Attendee Name Title Status
Will Brennan Chair Present
Aditi Bussells Member Present
Tyler D. Bailey Member Present

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

1. Homeless Services Update - Ms. Kameisha Heppard, LMSW, Director of
 Homeless Services – The information was received. No action was taken.

Councilor Brennan highlighted the importance of evaluating past successes in
homeless services and identifying opportunities for future improvements. He
emphasized the need for strong partnerships with service providers.

Ms. Teresa Wilson, City Manager thanked Mr. Brennan and Mr. Bailey for their
leadership, noting that the opening of Rapid Shelter two years ago was uncharted
territory. She emphasized the importance of the ad hoc committee in addressing
immediate needs with local providers' support.

Ms. Kameisha Heppard, LMSW, Director of Homeless Services provided an update on
key achievements and initiatives. Since the 2022 launch of Rapid Shelter, 79
chronically unsheltered individuals have been permanently housed. The department
has also partnered with non-traditional providers to assist those with dual diagnoses.
Since June 2023, 27 residents have received aftercare services, totaling 115
engagements. As of December 31, 2024, 46 individuals remain at Rapid Shelter, with
827 community referrals.

There was discussion about defining resistance to service; last permanent address
reflected in the data; the number of individuals serviced; referral placement;
donations and tax deductible status; and the Adopt a Pallet and Rapid Shelter
mentorship programs.




 Page 1 of 2
 Packet Pg. 3
 1.a




 HOMELESS SERVICES ADHOC COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025


2. Point In Time Count - Ms. Kameisha Heppard, LMSW, Director of Homeless
 Services – The information was received. No action was taken.

Ms. Kameisha Heppard, LMSW, Director of Homeless Services explained the Point in
Time (PIT) Count, an event organized by HUD as a designated evening where both
sheltered and unsheltered individuals are surveyed and counted. This year, the PIT
Count will take place on January 22, 2025. It is typically scheduled by the end of the
month to align with the depletion of resources available to these individuals. The PIT
Count is carried out by teams gathering data on the needs of those experiencing
homelessness. She presented a visual aid illustrating the Midland Area Consortium
for the Homeless (MACH) while emphasizing the challenges posed by the large
geographic area covered. It is important for the City of Columbia to show strong
support for the event, given the investments made in addressing homelessness. She
also extended a call for help to the surrounding counties.

There was discussion about how the date is selected; homeless service providers
within surrounding counties and municipalities; staff volunteers; how the PIT count
is conducted; data points for the homeless population; distribution of funding; and
the city’s involvement with MACH.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Upon a motion made by Dr. Bussells and seconded by Mr. Bailey, the Committee
entered into Executive Session at 1:52 p.m. for the discussion of Item 3.

3. Discussion of negotiations incident to proposed contractual arrangements
 pursuant to S.C. Code §30-4-70(a)(2)

  Homeless Services

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 2:56 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:



Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC
City Clerk


 Page 2 of 2
 Packet Pg. 4
 2




MEETING DATE: April 8, 2025

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Update on Recommendations from the Taskforce to
 Prevent and End Homelessness Report - The
 Honorable Aditi Bussells
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:




Updated: 3/31/2025 11:28 AM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 5
 3




MEETING DATE: April 8, 2025

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Point-in-Time Count Summary – Ms. Kameisha
 Heppard, LMSW, Director of Homeless Services
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:




Updated: 4/4/2025 2:52 PM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 6
 4




MEETING DATE: April 8, 2025

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Operational Update and Recommendations – Ms.
 Kameisha Heppard, LMSW, Director of Homeless
 Services
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:




Updated: 4/1/2025 5:28 PM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 7
 5




MEETING DATE: April 8, 2025

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Homeless Services Blueprint and Next Steps - The
 Honorable Will Brennan
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:




Updated: 4/2/2025 11:08 AM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 8
 6




MEETING DATE: April 8, 2025

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Receipt of legal advice relating to matters covered
 by attorney-client privilege pursuant to S.C. Code
 §30-4-70(a)(2)
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:

PURPOSE:
Homeless Services




Updated: 4/4/2025 2:53 PM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 9

HOMELESS SERVICES ADHOC COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2025



CALL TO ORDER
The Homeless Services Ad Hoc Committee conducted a meeting on Tuesday,
April 8, 2025 at City Hall (Mayor’s Conference Room), 1737 Main Street,
Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The Honorable Will Brennan, Chair called
the meeting to order at 1:01 p.m.

 Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
 Will Brennan Chair Present
 Aditi Bussells Member Present
 Tyler D. Bailey Member Present

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. January 7, 2025 Committee Meeting Minutes

Upon a motion made by Aditi Bussells and seconded by Tyler D. Bailey, Council
voted unanimously to approve the January 7, 2025 Committee Meeting Minutes.

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

2. Update on Recommendations from the Taskforce to Prevent and End
 Homelessness Report - The Honorable Aditi Bussells

3. Point-in-Time Count Summary – Ms. Kameisha Heppard, LMSW, Director of
 Homeless Services

4. Operational Update and Recommendations – Ms. Kameisha Heppard, LMSW,
 Director of Homeless Services

5. Homeless Services Blueprint and Next Steps - The Honorable Will Brennan

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Upon a motion made by Dr. Bussells and seconded by Mr. Bailey, committee
members voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session at 1:52 p.m.
for the discussion of Item 6.

6. Receipt of legal advice relating to matters covered by attorney-client
 privilege pursuant to S.C. Code §30-4-70(a)(2)

  Homeless Services

 Page 1 of 2
 HOMELESS SERVICES ADHOC COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2025


ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:




Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC
City Clerk




 Page 2 of 2