Summerville is actively addressing homelessness in 2025 through a combination of new local ordinances, community support programs, and regional collaboration.
Key Efforts
New Encampment Ordinance:
Summerville Town Council passed an ordinance prohibiting camping on both public and private property without landowner permission. The ordinance aims to manage encampments carefully while providing law enforcement the ability to address unauthorized camping swiftly. However, enforcement takes into consideration landowner consent.
Support from Nonprofits:
Local nonprofit Keys to Change provides temporary housing and essential support services to those experiencing homelessness in Dorchester County, including Summerville. They operate separate men’s and women’s housing centers but currently face capacity challenges with waitlists. Keys to Change emphasizes the importance of meeting homeless individuals’ needs within the county rather than having them relocate elsewhere.
Lowcountry Rapid Housing Program:
Summerville’s mayor is collaborating with neighboring cities on this program, which provides immediate housing units with wraparound services like mental health, addiction recovery, job training, and physical therapy. This initiative aims to swiftly place individuals in safe housing while addressing long-term affordability issues regionally.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG):
Summerville utilizes HUD grants to improve community development, including housing rehabilitation programs for critical need housing. These efforts are part of broader strategies to create suitable living environments and expand economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents.
Resource Access:
Various services in Summerville provide critical assistance such as food, medical care, counseling for addiction, youth programs, and transportation support. For example, the Seacoast Church warming center and organizations like Palmetto Community Action Partnership and Tricounty Family Ministries play key roles in the support ecosystem.
Summerville’s approach blends enforcement, nonprofit support, rapid housing programs, and federal grants to address homelessness comprehensively while emphasizing local care and resources development.
SOURCES
(https://abcnews4.com/news/local/summerville-town-council-to-consider-new-encampment-ordinance-homlessness-wciv-abc-news-4-6-9-2025)
(https://abcnews4.com/news/local/summerville-town-council-approves-new-encampment-ordinance-wciv-abc-news-4-2025-dorchester-county-keys-to-change-homelessness-housing-crisis)
(https://www.charleston-sc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1288)
(https://www.summervillesc.gov/155/Community-Development-Block-Grant-CDBG-P)(https://keystochangesc.org/about/)
