Richland County and Transitions Homeless Center to Host Press Conference Highlighting Major Investments of Federal Funds to Kick-Off Community Development Week
On Monday, April 21 at 11:00 a.m., to celebrate the first day of Community Development Week, Transitions Homeless Center and Richland County Government will host a press conference at the Transitions Day Center (2025 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201) to highlight Richland County’s significant investment of CDBG funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in services for individuals experiencing homelessness. After the press conference, the officials elected, Richland County Community Development Staff, and partners will serve lunch to the Transitions clients. The event will also kick off National Volunteer Week in the United States.
In the past year, Richland County has invested $560,000 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds into critical upgrades for Transitions’ Day Center, enabling the organization to serve better the more than 3,400 individuals who access the shelter and supportive services each year. Celebrating 50 years of impact in 2024, the CDBG Program is a signature investment tool of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – reaching every corner of the country from urban cities to rural towns and populations in between to support housing rehabilitation programs, public infrastructure projects, small business assistance, and a broad range of public service programming.
With support from the County’s Community Development Office over the past year, CDBG funds were invested in Transitions to:
- Create ADA Accessible bathrooms and doors
- Develop a comprehensive trauma-informed redesign of the Day Center for quiet/safe spaces
- Upgrade of laundry facilities for clients.
This year, a second investment of CDBG funds will provide four ADA Bathroom upgrades and rehabilitation of sixteen (16) transitional housing units for the Specialized Program for Veterans, Seniors, and those with an active job moving out of homelessness.
The press conference will feature remarks from local and national leaders. It will be followed by a service opportunity, during which elected leaders, the County’s Community Development staff, and partners will join staff to serve lunch to Transitions clients.
Craig Currey, CEO of Transitions Homeless Center, said:
“Each person we serve at Transitions is on a unique path. Some need a place to stay while others need counseling or job training. Almost all need help finding housing. Richland County’s investment strengthens our ability to meet those needs, and we’re grateful for their partnership as we work to move more people out of homelessness and into stability.”
The Honorable Paul Livingston, Richland County Council (District 4) added:
“Richland County has been leveraging CDBG funds for local investments for over 20 years to rehabilitate housing, improve public facilities and infrastructure, support small businesses, and provide a broad range of services that improve the quality of life for our low and moderate-income citizens. This Community Development Week, we celebrate recent investments of more than $3.6 Million in CDBG funds in projects in every corner of the County – where each $1 of CDBG funds invested was leveraged with another $3 locally. Today at Transitions, we are seeing first-hand how CDBG funds make an impact to real people in need.
The improvements made to the Transitions Day Center with CDBG funds increase accessibility provide dignity and hope, and increased capacity to serve those struggling with homelessness. The County is adding an additional $135,000 this year that will fund four (4) ADA Bathroom upgrades plus rehabilitation on sixteen (16) transitional housing units for Specialized Program for Veterans, Seniors, and those with active job moving out of homelessness. These investments make a difference for everyone that walks through these doors and for the Transitions team that’s been serving here for 14 years.
Now more than ever, this Federal funding is needed for our partners and the people on the ground who support our workers, families and neighborhoods. People across the County are struggling to get by and its these CDBG resources that support jobs, healthcare, childcare, nutrition assistance, and affordable housing for people across this County.”