Gateway to Housing, a network of property owners and managers dedicated to opening their doors to residents at risk of experiencing homelessness in Charleston, has officially launched with a new website, logo and the completion of two onboarding training programs for staff. The program operates on a low-barrier housing model, the first of its kind in the state, and aims to address the urgent housing crisis in the Charleston-metro area.
Participating landlords and property managers will help provide access to affordable housing options and, in return, benefit from financial incentives, wraparound services for tenants, and long-term agreements. The program focuses on removing housing barriers for individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their housing.
Gateway to Housing started a roundtable series in October 2024 to educate landlords and property owners about the program and its benefits for tenants and owners. Since then, the roundtable series piqued participants’ interest, allowing the program to move forward. The program launched a new website and logo and conducted two training programs for case managers to aid in the placement process. Neighbors Together serves as the backbone agency of this initiative.
“This program has been in the making for years,” said Suzanne Young, executive director of Gateway to Housing. “Now that we’ve properly launched the program with a new brand, website and staff, we are excited to work with local case managers and serve as a source of aid to end homelessness in the greater Charleston area.”
The Charleston housing crisis has reached critical levels, and affordable housing options are in high demand. Charleston County has a significant proportion of unsheltered individuals. In the 2020 count, 126 out of 323 homeless individuals were unsheltered, representing about 39% of the county’s homeless population. The City of North Charleston has the highest eviction rate in the country. By participating in the Gateway to Housing program, landlords can help address this urgent need by participating in the program and provide tenants with housing options. The Gateway to Housing program offers opportunities for collaboration as well as many profitable benefits. For more information about the program, visit www.gatewaytohousingchs.org