LANCASTER, S.C. — Relief to a growing problem in Lancaster County is coming in the form of a new homeless shelter.
It comes as the Palmetto State joins others seeing rising rent and food costs which local nonprofits say are leaving some tenants feeling priced out.
"People don't necessarily see the homeless and they don't really necessarily understand what homelessness looks like in Lancaster County," United Way of Lancaster County Executive Director Holly Furr said. "We have people living in their cars. We do have a lot of people that choose to live either on the streets or in tents, multiple families living in one household.”
A study by the United Way found 43 percent of South Carolina families work hard but never seem to get ahead. They're hoping to use the data to expand their reach to more of those struggling to stay afloat.
“10 years ago, the average rent was $500. Now, it's $900. And that's, you know, almost double in some cases, depending on where in Lancaster that you live," Susan Dolphin, Interim Director for HOPE in Lancaster said.
HOPE provides emergency services like rent and food to families, but Dolphin said they haven't had the funds to address the increased need. Furr hopes a new homeless shelter will provide temporary housing for those facing housing instability.
"We'll have a room dedicated for families and then we'll have rooms for men and rooms for women," Furr said.
Lancaster's United Way is working to raise funds for the new shelter which will be located on West Meeting Street and serve 10 to 15 people.
"Hopefully, within the next month or two, we'll be able to really start," Furr said.
In the meantime, they're exploring options for a warming shelter and seeking organizations willing to help.