Safe at Home

The Power of Eviction Prevention

In 2019, One80 Place, in collaboration with partner organizations, developed a pilot program to address high eviction rates in Charleston County. Authorized by the South Carolina Supreme Court, the first Housing Court in the state was established in one magistrate court in Charleston County. During the court's first year, 410 hearings were held, and 397 evictions were prevented.

One80 Place and its partners continue to coordinate with the magistrate courts in Charleston County and are actively working to expand Housing Court into Richland, Berkeley, Dorchester and Lexington Counties.

Building on the success of Housing Court, One80 Place was selected as one of 21 organizations nationwide to pilot an Eviction Protection Program by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Eviction Protection Program (EPP) provides legal assistance, at no cost, to low-income renters facing eviction.

EPP was designed around three strategies to advance housing stability; legal representation, expansion of housing courts and court navigation services. Court Navigators work as a bridge between the client and their attorney, offering the support needed to get through the eviction process and stand as invaluable allies for clients.

We are incredibly proud to announce that the first year of our eviction prevention program has been a resounding success, with 1,720 cases closed. By providing timely assistance, support, and resources, we have made a tangible difference in the lives of those families and individuals facing the threat of homelessness.