Choose your selection

City Announcements
2012 - 2013 Hospitality Grant Application Workshops
The City of Columbia is now accepting 2012-2013 Hospitality Tax applications and we are conducting two workshops for our Hospitality Tax grant. The workshops are being held to assist in the Hospitality application process . The first workshop will be Thursday, Feb 16th @ the Capital Senior Center near Maxcy Gregg Park from 12-2:00pm and everyone is invited to bring their lunch. The second workshop will be on Thursday February 23 @ Carolina Wings on Gervais Street from 5-7:00pm We will have a separate room and orders will be taken from the menu. Please call 545-3048 or email gdfanning@columbiasc.net for more information or to attend a workshop.

2012 State of the City Address [Full Text and Video]
Mayor Steve Benjamin delivered his 2012 State of the City address on January 11th at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center's Coble Ballroom.
FULL TEXT
Main Street
Infrastructure & Transit Safety
Public Safety
Economy
Watch the entire address here!

Grants Status
Click here to view information on grants for which the City has applied, some of which have been funded by federal stimulus dollars.

City Newsroom
Jan 01-26, 2012
Click Here To View The City's Photo Album!

Jan 01-16, 2012
Book Lovers Invited To Join

Jan 06-20, 2012
SCE&G Trimming Activities to Resume within City Limits

2010 – 2011 WINTER HOMELESS SHELTER

 

Location:                     191 Calhoun Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Dates of Operation:      November 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011

Hours of Operation:     6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.

Pick-up Locations:       Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA) Transfer Center

@ 1727 Sumter Street

AND

Ebenezer Lutheran Church Sumter and  Calhoun Streets

between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Drop-off Location:        CMRTA Transfer Center between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.

Available at Shelter:    Bed, Shower & Coffee

To Reserve A Bed:       Individuals MUST call 211 or (803) 733-5408 between 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to reserve a bed.  Name and date of birth must be provided.  A reservation is required for transport to the Shelter from the pick-up locations.  NO WALK-UPS ALLOWED.

 

*** WINTER SHELTER CLOSED DURING THE DAY ***

 

 

 

2010-2011 OVERFLOW SHELTER

 

Location:                     Martin Luther King Recreation Center

2300 Greene Street

Columbia, SC  29205

Hours of Operation:     9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

 

The Overflow Shelter will open under any of the following criteria:

  • Winter Shelter is at capacity;
  • National Weather Service predicts temperatures of 36 degrees Fahrenheit or below; OR
  • Severe inclement weather is forecast, including snow, ice or heavy rain

 

NOTE:  Only clients who have checked in at the Winter Homeless Shelter will be admitted to the Overflow Shelter and they must be transported directly from the Shelter.  NO WALK-UPS ALLOWED.

 

The Winter Homeless Shelter and Overflow Shelter are part of the City of Columbia Homeless Services program and are coordinated in conjunction with The Cooperative Ministry and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine.

Click here for information on the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program: 

            Notice of HPRP Allocation     HPRP Amendment
________________________________________________________________________

City of Columbia Winter Shelter
191 Calhoun Street 
Tel. 255-8158
 
 
Map to shelter location
  
The Winter shelter provides beds, bathrooms, showers, lockers, telephone access, laundry machines, support group meetings, and bus tickets to homeless individuals during the winter season.
 

For more information, please contact

The Cooperative Ministry at (803) 799-3853.
For Volunteer Opportunities, please contact Diane Westerkam at 399-3853 or westerkam@bellsouth.net
 
 
*********************************************************************************************
 
*********************************************************************************************
 
HOMELESS IN COLUMBIA?
 

 
LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE?
 

The Homeless Winter Shelter is now taking donations of the following items for the upcoming winter season.  For donations, questions or concerns, please contact The Cooperative Ministry at 803.799.3853.

Ground coffee
Board games
Non-dairy creamer
Powder laundry detergent
Packets of sugar
Small size shampoo
8 oz Styrofoam cups
Small size soap
Coffee stirrers
Small size shaving cream
Disposable plates, bowls, cups, and utensils
Small size deodorant
New socks, T-shirts, and underwear
Small size toothpaste
Laptop computer
Toothbrushes
Bolt cutters
Feminine hygiene products
19" television
Twin size sheets
white towels, wash clothes
shower shoes (flip flops)
      
 
 

 
 
Winter Shelter 2008-2009 Report
 

 
 
 
The City of Columbia would like to thank the following partners for their contributions to addressing homelessness in our community:
(Please click on the logo for more information)
 
 
                                                                                                                
 
 
 
                                         
                                                                                 
 
 
                                                  
                                         
 
 
 
USC- Supportive Housing Services


Project Homeless Connect (PHC) is a national community service event sponsored by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH). On November 22, 2008, Columbia conducted the PHC with 30 agencies and organizations providing information on housing, employment, legal assistance, substance abuse programs, mental health services, voter registration and health care. Haircuts and manicures were provided to participants free of charge by a local cosmetology school and wheelchair repair was offered by a local business. Breakfast and lunch were served through donations by corporate sponsors, churches, and community groups. With the event taking place at the City’s new shelters, 40 volunteers staffed the event and included City staff, members of a local church fellowship, and social work graduate students. Over 150 individuals participated in the event.  This successful event was also attended by local and state officials that continue to advocate for homeless efforts. Staff will plan another Project Homeless Connect for 2009.


 

 
The Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless (MACH) strives to end homelessness by making a difference in the lives of people who are experiencing homelessness.  The MACH, a 501c3 non-profit, was founded in 1994.  The MACH serves the counties of Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Chester, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, and York. 

The MACH is comprised of over 60 agencies and is led by a Board of Directors.  The MACH addresses homelessness by promoting collaboration and planning among state and local governments, corporate and non-profit organizations, and faith-based entities that support individuals and families in their quest to move from homelessness to housing.

The MACH provides resources for information sharing and advocacy.  MACH member agencies provide a variety of services including: emergency, transitional, and permanent housing, supportive services, legal services, job training, transportation, medical and dental care, substance abuse and mental health programs, child care, and rent and utility assistance.
 
MACH meetings take place 4 times a year.