2005 Summary Analysis of the South Carolina Homeless Population

Executive Summary

The first statewide Homeless Count occurred in South Carolina on January 27, 2005. Six thousand four hundred eighty one homeless persons (6,481) were counted. (Please note that basic and detailed information is available in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2.)

• 46% were in homeless shelters; 56% were staying in unsheltered locations.
• 68% were men; 32 % were women.
• 20% were veterans.
• 15% were children.

Beyond a description of the persons experiencing homelessness in South Carolina, this report estimates some additional parameters of the homeless population:

• Adjusted Homeless Count Estimate
• Annualized Homeless Estimate
• At-risk/ Doubled-up Homeless Estimate
• Chronic Homeless Estimate

This Count effort is built on a long history of advocacy and service to the homeless. Special thanks go to those named in the acknowledgements as well as to the homeless themselves who voluntarily reported information about themselves.

The numbers and estimates in this report are acknowledged to be far from perfect, given the difficulties of limited resources to carry out the count and the very nature of daily survival among the homeless. It is hoped, however, that this information illuminates the stories and needs of those experiencing homelessness so that service providers and the public may better understand and address those needs.