By Gregory Yee
Jan 1, 2020

One of the Charleston region’s only programs aimed at helping homeless youth is having success in its first year of operation.

Nonprofits and others who work with homeless individuals hope to expand the rapid rehousing program run by One80 Place, a nonprofit that has a shelter in Charleston, and find sustainable funding sources. The road won’t be easy.

The program started in July with $164,000 in federal grant funding. Originally projected to house eight youth between 18 and 24 years old, the program has helped 16 young people and four children so far after it received a $100,000 private donation, said Marco Corona, One80 Place’s chief development officer. 

Boosted by the extra funding, the nonprofit hopes to help 20 young people by the time the fiscal year ends in June. 

“While it seems on its face that the program is expensive ... what we have to keep in mind is that these are individuals that have very little work experience, little rental history and no credit histories in a lot of cases,” Corona said. “It’s got its unique challenges.”