Task Force To Prevent And End Homelessness — Columbia, SC
Date: 2022-05-18
Time: 16:00

COLUMBIA TASK FORCE TO PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS MEETING
 AGENDA
 WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022

The Columbia Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness will conduct a meeting on
Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. at the Busby Street Community Center, 1735 Busby
Street, Columbia, SC 29203. Members of the public are encouraged to participate remotely by
viewing the meeting online at www.columbiasc.gov. For questions regarding the meeting, please
contact the City Clerk at (803)545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov.

 The Honorable Aditi Bussells, Chair
 The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr. and The Honorable William Brennan

Prior to entering the meeting please turn all electronic communication devices to the silent, vibrate or off
 position. All presenters are asked to speak directly into the microphone for recording purposes.

CALL TO ORDER
PRESENTATIONS

1. Welcome and Introductions - The Honorable Aditi Bussells

2. Overview and History of the Taskforce - The Honorable Aditi Bussells

3. Overview of Current Policy Efforts - Ms. Teresa Knox, Esq., City Attorney

4. Public Safety and Homelessness Initiatives - Mr. William "Skip" Holbrook, Columbia
 Police Chief

5. Current City of Columbia Funding for Homelessness Services - Ms. Missy Caughman,
 Budget, Program Management and Grants Director

6. Strategies from Other Local Governments - The Honorable Aditi Bussells

GROUP DISCUSSION
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

7. Reflections - The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr. and The Honorable Will Brennan

8. Closing Remarks - The Honorable Aditi Bussells

ADJOURNMENT


 Page 1 of 1

COLUMBIA TASK FORCE TO PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS MEETING
 AGENDA
 WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022

The Columbia Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness will conduct a meeting on
Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. at the Busby Street Community Center, 1735 Busby
Street, Columbia, SC 29203. Members of the public are encouraged to participate remotely by
viewing the meeting online at www.columbiasc.gov. For questions regarding the meeting, please
contact the City Clerk at (803)545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov.

 The Honorable Aditi Bussells, Chair
 The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr. and The Honorable William Brennan

Prior to entering the meeting please turn all electronic communication devices to the silent, vibrate or off
 position. All presenters are asked to speak directly into the microphone for recording purposes.

CALL TO ORDER
PRESENTATIONS

1. Welcome and Introductions - The Honorable Aditi Bussells

2. Overview and History of the Taskforce - The Honorable Aditi Bussells

3. Overview of Current Policy Efforts - Ms. Teresa Knox, Esq., City Attorney

4. Public Safety and Homelessness Initiatives - Mr. William "Skip" Holbrook, Columbia
 Police Chief

5. Current City of Columbia Funding for Homelessness Services - Ms. Missy Caughman,
 Budget, Program Management and Grants Director

6. Strategies from Other Local Governments - The Honorable Aditi Bussells

GROUP DISCUSSION
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

7. Reflections - The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr. and The Honorable Will Brennan

8. Closing Remarks - The Honorable Aditi Bussells

ADJOURNMENT


 Page 1 of 1
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MEETING DATE: May 18, 2022

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Welcome and Introductions - The Honorable Aditi Bussells
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:




Updated: 5/16/2022 1:59 PM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 2
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MEETING DATE: May 18, 2022

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Overview and History of the Taskforce - The Honorable Aditi
 Bussells
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:


ATTACHMENTS:
  Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness Presentation 051822 (PDF)




Updated: 5/16/2022 1:06 PM Page 1
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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
 City of Columbia
Task Force to Prevent and End
 Homelessness

 May 18, 2022


 Packet Pg.1 4
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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
 Appointed Members




 Councilwoman Councilman Councilman
Dr. Aditi Bussells Edward H.McDowell William Brennan
 Chair Member Member


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Overview and History of the Task Force




 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
  • Established February 15, 2022

 o In 2006 there was a Commission of
 Homelessness, but there is no historical
 information available pertaining to it.
 o This taskforce was established in reponse to the
 growing number of concerns from neighborhood
 and business leaders




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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
 Statistics on Homelessness in Columbia
• According to the 2020 South Carolina State of Homelessness
  Report, Richland County has the second highest rate of
  homelessness in South Carolina.

• There has also been an increase in criminal activity and drug
  related offenses associated with people that are experiencing
  homelessness, especially within our downtown neighborhoods,
  entertainment districts and areas of high traffic (e.g. Harbison
  and Garner Ferry).




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 Homelessness Service Providers




 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
Initial reports suggest that City of Columbia has at least
14 providers assisting populations facing homelessness
in Richland and Lexington County.
• Columbia providers often serve the greater Midlands
 area
• Regardless of this, many individuals do not seek to use
 the assistance these organizations provide for a variety
 of reasons – this is the focus of our taskforce
• We have commissioned a study to understand the state
 of our providers and to catalogue services




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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
An Overview of City of Columbia Homelessness
 Policy Efforts




 6 Packet Pg.6 9
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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
Current City of Columbia Homelessness Services
 and Public Safety Initiatives




 7 Packet Pg.710
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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
 City of Columbia Homeless Services Overview
• Majority of services offered or provided are centered in or within close proximity to the
 Downtown corridor. This causes distress with area businesses, who contact CPD frequently
 about homeless when it is not necessarily a traditional police issue.

• A large number of independent feeding locations/programs are resistant to
 consolidation.

• Very limited affordable and supportive housing options or programs; they tend to fill up
 extremely fast.

• Conversely, many homeless individuals are resistant to assistance.




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 Packet Pg. 11
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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
 CPD Homelessness Initiatives
• IWC Transports – There were 172 Trips with 535 individuals transported for this IWC
 season. This becomes a resource drain on police due to them not being able to self‐report
 or walk up to the IWC center. CPD has taken measures to consolidate out transport times;
 however, it still causes a police officer to focus on transporting and not on police functions.

• Zone Watch Locations ‐ Officers are tasked with completing Zone Watch requests each
 shift. These include businesses, cemeteries, parks, and parking garages that have
 complaints and/or patterns of disruptive behavior perpetrated by homeless. Zone
 Watches are reviewed and adjusted

• Outside agencies drop off individuals at the IWC, which causes them to now stay in
 Columbia. This causes an influx of new individuals that now frequently interact with CPD.



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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
 CPD Homelessness Initiatives
• Most outreach by service providers happens Monday through Friday during
 daytime hours.

• CPD also developed the Best Practices for Interactions with
 Transient Citizens manual. This publication is provide to citizens
 and businesses to explain our focus and response. It also has
 resources section that can be used by anyone in the City to request
 assistance for a transient citizen in need. The publication is
 available at ColumbiaPD.net/Publications.




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 Packet Pg. 13
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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
CPD Homelessness Initiatives
• Frequent Offender Taskforce Meetings: CPD, 5th Solicitors Office, United Way, Dept. of
 Mental Health and various community stakeholders participate in these meetings.

 o The focus of the meetings is to identify individuals that are coming into frequent
 contact with law enforcement and try to determine why. CPD is acutely aware that
 jail is not always the best answer for someone in mental health crisis who are often
 times homeless.

 o The group triages the cases and determines the best avenue to provide lasting care of
 the individual in crisis. This gets the individual to a stable place so that they can begin
 healing and taking advantage of programs available. The primary focus of the group is
 to assist in breaking the cycle of homelessness.



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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
 CPD Homelessness and Mental Health Initiative
• The Pathways Unit (TPU) provides an opportunity to reach individuals that may have mental
 illness perpetuating their homeless status. While on patrol, Pathways team members will
 respond to active Calls for Service involving citizens in mental crisis to assist with
 de‐escalation, provide resources, conduct follow‐up appointments with pervious clients that
 need additional care coordination, and proactively seek out locations of frequent community
 friction to provide care/resource options to ease tensions.
 o TPU also reaches out to community stakeholders and groups to coordinate and
 strengthen the focus of actions when addressing a common cause; attending
 community meetings, building relationships of support with non‐profit organizations,
 and initiating involvement in existing outreach initiatives.

 o TPU focuses on facilitating opportunities to build and strengthen relationships with
 citizens that are more vulnerable through problem solving partnerships.


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 Packet Pg. 15
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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
 CPD Homelessness and Mental Health Initiative
The Pathways Team
• Mental Health Clinician, Angela Anderson has over 17 years of experience in Human Services
 with various organizations.
 o Program Coordinator for the Columbia Housing Authority
 o School Guidance Counselor intern at W. A. Perry Middle School
 o Human Services Coordinator for the SC Dept. of Mental Health
 o Human Services Coordinator Group Facilitator for the KIVA Day program at the SC
 Dept. of Mental Health
 o Embedded Mental Health Clinician for the joint DMH/CPD collaboration




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 Packet Pg. 16
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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
 CPD Homelessness and Mental Health Initiative
• MPO Christopher Bolling has served the Columbia Police Department for 10 years. He is
 certified in Crisis Intervention Training, a Field Training Officer, and an IPMBA Police Bike
 Instructor. MPO Bolling joined The Pathways Team in September 2021.

• To date, The Pathways Unit provided coordinated care and support for 162 citizens that
 have or are experiencing some form of mental health crisis that brought them into contact
 with CPD.




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 Packet Pg. 17
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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
Public Safety and Homelessness
• Transient Citizen Criminal Activity Focus ‐ CPD is currently conducting this operation to
 address criminal and quality of life activity and complaints associated with citizens that
 choose to violate the law within the identified locations of emphasis.
 o The operation will be data driven based on crime intelligence, community input from
 interactions, and calls for service. Officers will address these criminal concerns in a highly
 visible proactive manner utilizing patrols and community contacts, with an emphasis on
 foot patrols within the areas of focus when not on calls for service.
 o Regions will coordinate resources to address adjacent locations of focus or to
  address larger scale events, such as urban camping sites, to support efforts. Code
 Enforcement will also play an integral role in addressing these sites.
 o As standard practice, CPD will make contact and post locations to give occupants time to
 move themselves. Notices will be posted in conspicuous locations at the camp to alert
 those that were not initially contacted in person.


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 Packet Pg. 18
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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
Public Safety and Homelessness
• The Pathways Unit will also assist to coordinate any needed resources for those living at
 the illegal sites. The purpose is to stabilize their housing environment to prevent another
 urban camping site from developing at another location. The CPD K9 Investigator Sulser
 and MPO Bowen will utilize their partners once a month to address drug and weapon
 concerns at Transitions.

• The locations of emphasis are Finlay Park, Memorial Park, Main Street Corridor,
 Elmwood Avenue Corridor, Harden Street Corridor, Gervais Street Corridor, Assembly
 Street Corridor, Calhoun Street Corridor, Harbison Area, Forest Drive Corridor, Garners
 Ferry Rd Corridor, and the Entertainment/Business Zones.
 o Arrests: 62
 o Field Interviews: 31 o Placements/Resources Initiated: 24
 o Resources offered: 41 o Case Numbers Generated: 134


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 Packet Pg. 19
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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
Current City of Columbia Funding for
 Homelessness Services




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 Packet Pg. 20
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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
 Homeless Services Contracts – General Fund

 FY 17/18 FY 17/18 FY 18/19 FY 18/19 FY 19/20 FY 19/20 FY 20/21 FY 20/21 FY 21/22

Vendor Program Description BUD ACT BUD ACT BUD ACT BUD W/CF ACT BUD
United Way IWC/Winter Operation of the City's IWC - UW is the 322,761 312,272 333,250 317,995 325,352 310,328 367,884 373,565 449,543
 Shelter prime with subcontractors providing services. IWC is
 operational Nov 1 through March 31 when specific weather
 conditions are forecasted. Contract also includes year
 around outreach coordinator.


USC Housing First National model program providing supportive housing 228,839 228,442 234,000 234,000 229,500 229,500 229,500 206,593 229,500
Supportive services for chronic and hard to place people experincing
Housing homelessness.


Midlands Transitions Agreement covers security services at Transitions 325,000 325,000 325,000 325,000 325,000 325,000 325,000 325,000 325,000
Housing based on agreement with surrounding neighborhoods.
Alliance

United Way Homeless Partial funding of UW homeless coordinator 123,400 118,039 128,761 122,908 120,148 118,980 121,316 89,432 75,711
 Coordinator - covers meal share coordination, "repeat offenders" services,
 outreach coordination, HMIS reporitng. Services to be
 provided are determine each year. Beginning FY 21/22
 Homeless Coordinator position staffed by Transitions. Initial
 RFP for servcies issued in 2014.



 1,000,000 983,753 1,021,011 999,903 1,000,000 983,808 1,043,700 994,590 1,079,754




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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
Homeless Services – HUD/CDBG Funding
• FY2021/2022
  o Homeless No More‐‐$40,000
  o Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc.‐‐$40,000




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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
Homeless Services Contracts – CDBG
 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
 5‐YEARS HOMELESS SERVICES FUNDING
 Year Activity Project Program Unit Funding
 Homeless No More‐ St. Lawrence Place After
 School Programs and Camps Public Services CDBG $48,224.49
 2017‐2018

 Trinity Housing‐ St. Lawrence
 Public Services CDBG $50,000.00
 2018‐2019 Place


 Mental Illness Recovery Center (MIRCI)‐Supportive
 Housing for Youth Public Services CDBG $29,478.07
 2019‐2020

 Homeless No More Public Services CDBG $50,000.00


 Homeless No More‐ Sevices for Homeless Families CDBG $38,341.00
 Public Services
 2020‐2021
 Mental Illness Recovery Center (MIRCI)‐Supportive
 Housing for Youth Public Services CDBG $49,484.51




 Homeless No More‐ Sevices for Homeless Families Public Services CDBG $40,000.00

 2021‐2022
 Mental Illness Recovery Center (MIRCI)‐Supportive
 Housing for Youth Public Services CDBG $40,000.00


 $345,528.07




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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
Strategies from Other Municipalities




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 Packet Pg. 24
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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
 Strategies from other Municipal Governments

Boston
 • Landlord Incentive Program
 o Boston launched a program to support landlords who rent to
 households moving out of homelessness. They provide signing
 bonuses, holding fees, and a dedicated customer service provider.
 • House America
 o The City of Boston is committing to rehouse 1,100 households that have
 experienced or will experience homelessness between now and
 December 31, 2022. During this same period, Boston has committed to
 fund the creation of 650 units of housing for people facing housing
 insecurity.


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 Strategies from other Municipal




 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
 Governments
Raleigh
 • King’s Ridge
 o King’s Ridge will provide permanent housing for up to 100 households,
 serving both individuals and families. The property’s main floor will
 include community space, offices, and access to wrap around supports
 like case management, integrated primary and mental healthcare,
 employment, and childcare support. The site is well located minutes
 from downtown Raleigh with a public bus stop across the street.




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 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
 Strategies from other Municipal Governments

Charlotte
 • Moore Place
 Moore Place is a 120-unit permanent supportive housing apartment complex. In 2012,
 CSS Homeless Services partnered with Moore Place to provide wraparound services to
 85 chronically homeless adults.




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 Group Discussion




 2.a
Packet Pg.2528

 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
26
 Group Reflection and Report Out




 2.a
Packet Pg.2629

 Attachment: Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness
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MEETING DATE: May 18, 2022

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Overview of Current Policy Efforts - Ms. Teresa Knox, Esq.,
 City Attorney
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:




Updated: 5/16/2022 1:08 PM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 30
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MEETING DATE: May 18, 2022

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Public Safety and Homelessness Initiatives - Mr. William
 "Skip" Holbrook, Columbia Police Chief
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:




Updated: 5/16/2022 1:09 PM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 31
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MEETING DATE: May 18, 2022

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Current City of Columbia Funding for Homelessness Services -
 Ms. Missy Caughman, Budget, Program Management and
 Grants Director
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:




Updated: 5/16/2022 1:11 PM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 32
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MEETING DATE: May 18, 2022

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Strategies from other local governments - The Honorable Aditi
 Bussells
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:




Updated: 5/16/2022 12:50 PM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 33
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MEETING DATE: May 18, 2022

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Reflections - The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr. and
 The Honorable Will Brennan
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:




Updated: 5/16/2022 12:47 PM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 34
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MEETING DATE: May 18, 2022

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Closing Remarks - The Honorable Aditi Bussells
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:




Updated: 5/16/2022 12:48 PM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 35

COLUMBIA TASK FORCE TO PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS MEETING MINUTES
 WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022

The Columbia Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness conducted a meeting on Tuesday,
May 18, 2022 at the Busby Street Community Center, 1735 Busby Street, Columbia, SC 29203.
The Honorable Aditi Bussells, Chair called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. and the following
members were present:

Attendee Name Title Status
Aditi Bussells Chair Present
Edward H. McDowell, Jr. Council Member Present
Will Brennan Council Member Present
Skip Holbrook Columbia Police Chief Present
Matt Kennell City Center Partnership Present
Steve Cook Five Points Association Present
George Whitehead Department of Probations, Pardon, and Parole Present
Allison Farrell SC Department of Mental Health Present
John Wilkerson Downtown Coalition of Neighborhoods Present
Brett Kloos University of South Carolina Present
Amy McCulloch Probate Court Judge Absent
Matthew Brock Associate Probate Judge Present
Jean Burns Magistrate Court Judge Absent
Treacy Dobbins Inspire Real Change Present
Kieley Sutton Assistant Public Defender Present
Antonio Flores, Jr. Wal-Mart Market Manager Present

PRESENTATIONS

1. Welcome and Introductions - The Honorable Aditi Bussells - Received as information.

Councilor Bussells introduced the task force and discussed some of the concerns that the City
would like to tackle with the formation of the task force. This diverse group of advocates and
business owners speaks to the complexities of people experiencing homelessness. The City is
excited to have these voices at the table to help us in developing solutions. Today, we will set the
foundation to understand the state of homelessness. We will hear from City staff on ways we
have invested in homelessness services and other initiatives regarding mental health and public
safety.




 Task Force to Prevent and Homelessness May 18, 2022 Meeting Minutes - Page 1 of 6
COLUMBIA TASK FORCE TO PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS MEETING MINUTES
 WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022

2. Overview and History of the Taskforce - The Honorable Aditi Bussells - Received as
 information.

Councilor Bussells said this task force was established on February 15, 2022 at the request of the
mayor in response to the growing number of homeless, a trend that can be seen all across the
country. Columbia is known to be a compassionate city. We have many services available to
those experiencing homelessness. Tackling this issue in a way that is compassionate but again
addresses the multi-faceted issue of homelessness is something this task force will be dedicated
to over the next six months. This is a temporary task force with the goal of releasing a report
with concrete strategies that we can implement with our partners both in the short-term and in the
long-term. According to the 2020 South Carolina State of Homelessness Report, Richland
County has the second highest rate of homelessness in South Carolina. There has also been an
increase in criminal activity and drug related offenses associated with people that are
experiencing homelessness. There is not a direct correlation between homelessness and crime,
but we do know that there is an indirect correlation that stems from things like poverty and drug
addictions. The City of Columbia has at least 14 providers assisting populations facing
homelessness in Richland County and Lexington County. We may not have a real grasp of the
scope of services, the number of services, and the types of providers available in South Carolina.
We have commissioned a study with Inspire Real Change to understand the state of our
providers and to catalogue services.

Councilor Brennan said we are here to figure out the root cause of homelessness in the City. We
need to find approaches to really help the individuals as best as we can.

Councilor McDowell asked if it is about the data or about human lives. We have to take the data
and turn it into actual resources. The homeless are always going to be with us. How do we take
what we are doing here today and turn it into a critical balance to give us ideas that will help our
brothers and sisters?

3. Overview of Current Policy Efforts - Ms. Teresa Knox, Esq., City Attorney - Received
 as information.

Ms. Teresa Knox, Esq., City Attorney said our ordinances are not focused on the prevention of
homelessness. These ordinances are ordinances that most cities have. These include ordinances
on begging, prohibited acts in City facilities, unlawful urination and defecation, and urban
camping. Over the years, everyone has wanted us to toughen these ordinances up. We have to be
careful because the U.S. Supreme Court and Federal Courts have looked at these issues because
they deal with constitutional rights. Mainly the Eighth Amendment and First Amendment. The


 Task Force to Prevent and Homelessness May 18, 2022 Meeting Minutes - Page 2 of 6
COLUMBIA TASK FORCE TO PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS MEETING MINUTES
 WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022

Eighth Amendment deals with cruel and unusual punishment. Courts have held that fining or
arresting the homeless for sleeping outdoors amounts to an Eighth Amendment violation. There
are caveats to that like safety issues and time and place issues. The First Amendment has to do
with asking for food and falls under the right of free speech. There are caveats for that, too. You
cannot be aggressively begging. Cities have tried to create buffer zones like restricting their
downtown areas but you can’t do that. What we have on the books is constitutionally okay. We
have to make sure we stay that way.

4. Public Safety and Homelessness Initiatives - Mr. William "Skip" Holbrook, Columbia
 Police Chief - Received as information.

Mr. William "Skip" Holbrook, Columbia Police Chief said our expectations are professionalism,
policing with respect and compassion, and constitutional policing. We are in a challenging time.
Being in a southern city, we have seen consistent growth of our homeless population over the
last five years. Last year, we made 366 arrests. I would argue that arrests are failures in this
situation. Most of these individuals are in some type of distress, mental health or substance
abuse. Most services are Monday through Friday during business hours. This causes police to
often needed to solve the problem. Oftentimes, jail is not the best place for them but those are
our options. The 366 arrests are what we consider quality of life arrests. Our officers over the
past winter made 172 inclement weather transports. This is afterhours when there is no available
transportation. CPD has taken measures to consolidate our transport times; however, it still
causes a police officer to focus on transporting and not on police functions. Officers are tasked
with completing zone watch requests each shift. These include businesses, cemeteries, parks, and
parking garages that have complaints or patterns of disruptive behavior perpetrated by the
homeless. With the help of Council, we have established the Pathways Unit (TPU), which
provides an opportunity to reach individuals that may have mental illness perpetuating their
homeless status. We have a mental health clinician embedded with the department. TPU reaches
out to community stakeholders and groups to coordinate and strengthen the focus of actions
when addressing a common cause by attending community meetings, building relationships of
support with non‐profit organizations, and initiating involvement in existing outreach initiatives.
We have seen tremendous success and we are excited to add four additional clinicians. Parks are
an area of focus for us and I am anxious to hear suggestions from this task force on how we can
strike a balance. I hope that we have action items on how we can transition law enforcement
from being the tool for solving our homeless problems so we can better focus on life safety
issues.




 Task Force to Prevent and Homelessness May 18, 2022 Meeting Minutes - Page 3 of 6
COLUMBIA TASK FORCE TO PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS MEETING MINUTES
 WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022

5. Current City of Columbia Funding for Homelessness Services - Ms. Missy Caughman,
 Budget, Program Management and Grants Director - Received as information.

Ms. Missy Caughman, Budget, Program Management and Grants Director said the City has four
homeless services contracts. The contracts vary between three providers. The contract with
United Way is for the operation of the city’s Inclement Weather Center (IWC). The IWC has
been open since 2014. Prior to the city operating the shelter, it was a volunteer led service when
certain weather conditions were met. Currently, the IWC is operated from November 1 st through
March 31st. They still provide outreach services throughout the year. Transitions provides the
actual operations of the IWC. There are two facilities: one for men and one for women.
Transportation is provided to the shelter. The Salvation Army provides meals at night and in the
morning. This is the largest part of the city’s funding. The City’s allocations for homeless
services are around $1 million a year from our general fund. We have a smaller contract with
United Way for service coordination. The homeless service coordinator focuses on the
coordination of meal share programs. It has been successful in redirecting folks who have
generous ideas and have a desire to help the less fortunate. They also help coordinate services
and outreach for the repeat offenders that are often reengaging with the police. This funding also
goes towards the Homeless Management Information System, a nationwide management system
where United Way is the point of contact for South Carolina. We also have a contract with USC
Supportive Housing. That is a national model providing supportive housing services for chronic
and hard to place individuals. The City funds the supportive services of the contract and the
Housing Authority provides the housing component of the program. The city also funds the
Midlands Housing Alliance, which is Transitions. The funding supports security services. The
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides allocations from the
Community Development Block Grant, which is an entitlement, grant that cities receive across
the country to address areas of interest to HUD. In the current fiscal year, we have funded
Homeless No More in the amount of $40,000 and Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc. (MIRCI)
in the amount of $40,000. The City also receives funding from HUD for the HOME Program to
assist with affordable housing and housing services and Housing of Persons With Aids
(HOPWA). The funding is utilized to help prevent homelessness for that specific population.

Councilor Bussells said council has allocated some of the American Rescue Plan funding
towards non-congregate housing. That was recognized as a need from our homeless service
providers. We are looking forward to making this investment and continuing to provide housing.
Many different issues that play into homelessness: housing, access to opportunities, access to
healthy food, and others. It is important for us to recognize that while the City is the leader, this
is something that we need other municipalities and state government to help us in solving as
well.


 Task Force to Prevent and Homelessness May 18, 2022 Meeting Minutes - Page 4 of 6
COLUMBIA TASK FORCE TO PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS MEETING MINUTES
 WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022

6. Strategies from other local governments - The Honorable Aditi Bussells - Deferred

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

Mr. Treacy Dobbins, Inspire Real Change said we did a research project last year in Columbia.
We worked with 30 individuals that were currently experiencing homelessness. Out of the 30, we
had 29 identify some form of health care issue to include physical, behavioral, or addiction. Out
of the 29, 22 identified emotional trauma concerns. Both of those numbers are high and we found
that there were many needs that were not being addressed. When we started the project, we were
focusing on recidivism. Working with this population since 2015, I saw how people would enter
into housing programs but months later, they would end back up on the streets. We quickly
shifted into a bigger scope. When we talk about cost and shelters, out of the 28 individuals that
have stayed at a shelter the average is 173 nights per person. We averaged the cost to be $5,017
per individual for shelter cost. When we looked at the percentage of individuals that left the
shelter as an unsuccessful outcome, we realized that the majority of those exited by choice.
About 70% said their needs were not being met. We have individuals with behavior issues,
addiction issues, and physical issues and we have to identify their needs. Individuals need a
quality assessment to understand the full picture of their needs and from that integrate it into a
service. With our partnership with the City, we are looking at a service provider platform both
internal and external. This will be something where we can plug in these resources and services
because currently we do not have a collaboration effort or coordinated entry process. This will
connect everything together. There will be an external source that you can plug into to get the
individual connected with the right resources. The thing I like is the accountability component.
Someone gets an assessment based on their needs. They are directed to a service and the clock
starts when that person is assigned to a service. The person has to be contacted and at that point
either their needs are filled or they are redirected to someone who can. You will have an
assessment, referral, case management, accountability, and a public connection component to it
as well.

Councilor Bussells said I want to challenge us to think about what we can do in the short term. A
lot of these strategies to make a systemic change are going to be long term and things we all have
to invest in. What can we do to address the issues we are experiencing right now?




 Task Force to Prevent and Homelessness May 18, 2022 Meeting Minutes - Page 5 of 6
COLUMBIA TASK FORCE TO PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS MEETING MINUTES
 WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022

7. Reflections - The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr. and The Honorable Will Brennan
 - Received as information.

Councilor Brennan said thank you all. This is a wonderful way to get to know each other and the
caring community and professionals. Everybody in the room right now has a higher calling for
being here. You are very compassionate, you care about the citizens of our wonderful city, and I
thank you for that. I look forward to the next month and getting to know your knowledge to help
us understand the gaps in the services. I believe that the state has a big role to play in the ultimate
solution.

Councilor McDowell said we can’t play the blame game. This is not the Police Department’s
sole responsibility. This needs to be a collaborative effort. Nothing is going to get done until the
whole community addresses our brothers and sisters. This is just the beginning of what needs to
take place in these next six months. We have a gap in services. Every community has to play a
part as we look at this critical issue in our city. I am appreciative of those who spoke up. Thank
you Dr. Bussells for bringing us together.

8. Closing Remarks - The Honorable Aditi Bussells - Received as information.

Councilor Bussells said I recently joined the Affordable Housing Task Force in hopes of both
committees working together to build some holistic solutions to address the problem. You will
be receiving our future task force meetings and we will be having a meeting with providers that
have been funded by the city.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 5:38 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:



Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC
City Clerk




 Task Force to Prevent and Homelessness May 18, 2022 Meeting Minutes - Page 6 of 6