Columbia Community Divided on Hope Center for Addressing Homeless Crisis
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| former homeless encampment Broad River Road ©2023 Javar Juarez |
By Javar Juarez
Columbia, S.C. (CUBNSC) – On Monday afternoon, the City of Columbia held a public input session for the proposed Hope Center, a centralized service hub for the chronically unsheltered. The meeting, aimed at gathering feedback on the now controversial project, drew significant opposition from prominent Black leaders and local citizens concerned about its impact on their community.
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| Hope Center Rendering Source: City of Columbia |
However, the plan has been met with skepticism and fear, particularly from communities concerned about the influx of potential residents. It was disheartening to hear community members, especially among the Black delegation, speak out against assisting those in need, given the high number of Black individuals in Columbia who are in desperate need of housing and treatment assistance.
Divisive Narratives and Opposition
Bias and stigma associated with the homeless population in Columbia were on full display Monday night as residents voiced strong objections to the proposed Hope Center. According to WLTX News, the project, which currently does not have a proposed property attached, is said to be located near the Greenview community at the Crafts-Farrow State Hospital. Greenview, one of Columbia's most prominent Black voting blocs, borders Farrow Road near Interstate 20. Residents scoffed at the plan and largely ignored the material presented by the city, choosing instead to berate supporters of the project and those attempting to engage in healthy discussion.
The conversations revealed a narrow perspective on those experiencing homelessness, mental health issues, addiction, or trauma. One Greenview resident stated, “We don’t want those people close to our community; we already have enough crime and poverty.” Another resident from the Northeast community expressed concerns about potential sexual offenders and criminals among the new residents.
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| Crafts-Farrow State Hospital Farrow Road Columbia, SC Source: Javar Juarez ©2024 |
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| Crafts-Farrow State Hospital Farrow Road Columbia, SC Source: Javar Juarez ©2024 |
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| Crafts-Farrow State Hospital Farrow Road Columbia, SC Source: Javar Juarez ©2024 |
Mental health services in Columbia have long been a civil rights issue
Prominent civil rights activist Modjeska Simkins was an ardent supporter of public facilities designed to engage and serve Black Columbians during segregation, advocating for the funding and overall improvement of facilities like the Crafts-Farrow State Hospital to treat mental illness. Despite being ridiculed and accused of being a communist by establishment Democrats, she remained resolute in her belief and advocacy for the Black family, mental health, and equity. View Archive video
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| Modjeska Monteith Simkins at her home, 1984. Source: The State Newspaper photograph Collection, Richland County |
There is indeed a debt owed to the Black community, and the South Carolina Statehouse must collaborate more effectively with the governor to help fund the Hope Center. African American people in Columbia, South Carolina, have endured generations of redlining, political gerrymandering, the introduction of drugs into their communities, and a long list of tactics used by Jim Crow laws. These practices have resulted in generational poverty, mental illness, and rampant crime driven by desperation, fear, and abuse.
Despite city officials stating that no land has yet been proposed, CUBN went deep into the community on Tuesday to speak door-to-door with residents and members of Zion Canaan Missionary Baptist Church located across the street from the Crafts-Farrow State Hospital.
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| Zion Canaan Missionary Baptist Church 7820 Farrow Road Columbia, SC 29203 ©2024 Javar Juarez |
Deacon Ronald Anderson emphasized the necessity of looking beyond individual concerns and focusing on serving the community. "We don't have the resources to be spread all out; we have to concentrate on the services we provide to those in need and work together to achieve better outcomes," he said.
Deacon Anderson, a seasoned community organizer and chairman of the Deacon board at Zion Canaan Church, has worked with at-risk youth in the Lorick Avenue Lattimer Manor Housing community for over six years, a community soon to be demolished. "It's about building trust with people, especially the young folks. When they remember your name, you know you've earned it;- and can really help them be their best selves at that point. You have to be consistent with people out here; you can't expect instant results. It won't happen that way. You have to be in it for the long term."
Deacon Anderson also discussed the challenges of partnering with other churches and organizations in the Black community due to a lack of openness and willingness to collaborate. "It appears that if it's not their idea, or their organization sponsoring or doing something, they will seek to sabotage the plan or make it hard for you to execute the vision," he noted.
This sentiment was echoed by Modjeska Simkins in a 1980 interview with WIS-TV when asked about the state of Black leadership in Columbia, South Carolina.
"Mrs. Simkins, you worked to organize most of the NAACP chapters in South Carolina, and it's recognized that you've had a personal acquaintance with most of the so-called leaders in the state. Do we have any more Black leaders?" She replied, "I don't consider that we have any that are outstanding. We have an economic fight to get the money so that we can get some of the advantages offered by public facilities." She continued, "My political philosophy is an independent philosophy. I'm not a South Carolina Democrat, never have been because the Democratic Party of South Carolina has never respected the needs of our people." View archive video
Housing Crisis and Community Concerns
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| Former Homeless Encampment on Broad River Road 29210 |
The housing crisis in Columbia and Richland County is a persistent issue, with homeless individuals becoming increasingly visible across the city. Areas like the Broad River District, home to both city and unincorporated Richland County residents, have seen a rise in makeshift homeless encampments. The district's heavily wooded and undeveloped areas often become sites for these encampments, raising concerns about trash and blight. This issue is more widespread than many people realize.
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| Homeless Camp Cleanup Map; City of Columbia Hope Center Data |
Despite ongoing efforts to address housing shortages, political and community arguments continue to surface with little progress.
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| City of Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann discusses the Hope Center at the Columbia Convention Center ©2024 Javar Juarez |
Since taking office in 2022, Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann has been committed to addressing the homeless crisis in Columbia. Before the start of Monday's charrette, Mayor Rickenmann took a few minutes to share his insights. He stated that he had traveled the country, including areas hardest hit since COVID-19, to observe how other cities are addressing the pressing issue of homelessness, which is widespread in America today.
One city that inspired him was Los Angeles, California, which has seen homelessness spread rampantly for the last fifteen years. Mayor Karen Bass, the newest LA mayor, has declared a state of emergency and implemented several task forces and the Inside Safe project, which has had positive and immediate outcomes for those ready to get off the streets. Mayor Rickenmann shared his experience of talking with some of the program's participants, stating, "They talked about how good it felt to have a safe place of their own, to not have to worry about someone stealing from them, and to be able to rest."
Dr. Jennifer Clyburn Reed, the Federal Co-Chair alongside South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster of the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC), expressed skepticism about the project's foundation, dismissing comparisons to Los Angeles' Inside Safe program. Mayor Rickenmann, however, defended the project's research, citing successful models from other cities and emphasizing the need for innovative solutions.
Why housing is such a tight issue today in America
Many Columbians fail to recognize that Wall Street and politics plays a significant role in rising housing prices and the current housing crisis. BlackRock asset management, which controls trillions of dollars in assets, has invested an estimated $120 billion into building rental properties for their wealthy clients. Institutions like Pretium, Invitation Homes, American Homes for Rent, Tricon Residential, and Amherst incentivize builders to prioritize rental properties over single family starter homes. For instance, Progress Residential paid $1.5 billion to DR Horton to build 4,000 rental homes this year. Historically, the United States generated between 300,000 and 400,000 starter homes annually in the late 1970s and 80s. In 2020, we produced only 65,000. Low-interest rates have incentivized people to buy not just starter homes but also investment properties. With rising prices and higher interest rates, selling makes less sense, and builders find it more profitable to construct larger homes for wealthier clients that are not prone to default on loans and suffer financial issues. While institutions may own only 1-2% of the housing market, their influence is disproportionately felt, especially in the most affordable housing segments. By prioritizing rental properties, they reduce the supply of starter homes. This issue, combined with bureaucracy and high costs, makes it harder for builders to focus on affordable housing. Columbia is taking steps to address this crisis by creating incentives for affordable housing development.
These include tax incentives for developers who commit to building a certain percentage of affordable housing units and grants and subsidies through programs like the city's HOME program. The HOME program has provided more than $3.5 million in funding for developers and nonprofits focused on creating affordable housing. Some projects that have received HOME funds include the Edisto Court Redevelopment Area, Waters Crest TownHomes, and The Veranda at North Main.
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| Veranda at North Main 3706 North Main Street Columbia, SC 29203 |
The Hope project has its own successful model to follow, demonstrated by its Rapid Shelter program. Since November 1, 2022, Rapid Shelter Columbia has been in full operation. Alongside an overflow center to shelter people from the cold, 50 individual pallet units were built to provide temporary housing for the chronically unsheltered. As of today, all 50 pallet units designated for homeless individuals are occupied. Rapid Shelter Columbia is the first transitional housing project of its kind to be operational in the Southeast. The program is designed to assist chronically unsheltered individuals with temporary shelter, case management, and life-skill services. The program provides three meals per day and transportation to appointments for clients to receive benefits. Specialized City of Columbia staff and on-site partners provide wrap-around case-management and life-building services. These partners include PRISMA Access Health, Lexington/Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council (LRADAC), Cooperative Health, Centre of Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) mobile unit, Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous, Vibez Church Bible Study, CAN Community Health, Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services (PALSS), PRISMA PACE Program, and Fast Forward. As of January 5, 2022, Rapid Shelter Columbia has received 145 referrals and admitted 66 individuals. Out of the 50 individuals currently utilizing the facility, 79% are male, 21% are female, and 76% are ages 45 and above, according to the City of Columbia website.
Corporate and non-progressive Democrats in attendance Monday night appeared to want more control over the project. Lacking professional insights into alternatives to the 'compound model,' they dismissed the potential successful outcomes that the Hope Center project could offer as a nucleus and legacy project capable of restoring balance and saving lives and families.
Moving forward, it is crucial for city leaders to foster a more compassionate and informed dialogue to bridge these divides and create lasting solutions for Columbia's housing crisis. The legacy of activists like Modjeska Simkins serves as a reminder of the importance of equitable and just treatment for all community members. A more inclusive approach, involving a larger number of homeless individuals in the discussions, may be the best next step. Few homeless people attended the meeting, likely because they needed to be in line for a bed at local missions, or risk ending up on the streets. A more concentrated effort to include those receiving help is necessary to ensure that proposed solutions are truly valuable and effective.
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