Roberto and Kimberly

Roberto and Kimberly had been living in the Economy Inn for over six months when it was condemned for unsafe conditions by Greenville County on January 13, 2021. 

Roberto was working part-time, and Kimberly was unemployed due to mental and physical health issues. They were barely making ends meet, had no form of transportation, and struggled to find any other place to live since they have two dogs. 

With the help of the Greenville Homeless Alliance and partners in the Motel Displacement Response Plan, Roberto and Kimberly relocated with their dogs. Centralized donations to an Angel Fund provided a streamlined approach with the help of 46 public and private partners. Roberto transitioned to a higher paying job in a local restaurant and then to working full-time in landscaping where his wages increased to $15/hour.

Greenville County’s continuum of care for people experiencing homelessness functions better than any other county in the state. There are many services provided and several options to support different subpopulations of the homeless: mentally ill, substance abuse, HIV, and families. 

However, the system is often full, and that lack of space may mean someone may not be able to get into an emergency shelter quickly. 

The emergency shelters were full when the Economy Inn was condemned and 61 people received immediate help to stay safe. Support the work of the Greenville Homeless Alliance to ensure gaps are filled as Greenville County continues to grow.