Lancaster Area Coalition for the Homeless

 

History of Lancaster Area Coalition for the Homeless

With the exit of Family Promise from Lancaster County a group of concerned residents, civic leaders, law enforcement and other non-profit organizations recognized a need for homeless services in our community. United Way  of Lancaster County facilitated a planning meeting in 2014. From that meeting of nearly 50 persons the Lancaster Area Coalition for the Homeless was born. The coalition still operates under the umbrella of the United Way of Lancaster County.

Become A Member

The  Lancaster Area Coalition for the Homeless meets monthly and membership is open to any person interested in helping find solutions for the homeless population of Lancaster County.  Call 803.283.8923 for more information.

LACH Programs

Ways to Donate

  • Online - Select the 'Donate' option on the United Way of Lancaster County website and note it is for LACH
  • Mail - Send to United Way of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 56 Lancaster, SC 29721. Make checks payable to 'United Way of Lancaster County' and indicate your donation is for L.A.C.H. in the memo of your check. 

Do you know someone experiencing homelessness?

LACH may provide homeless services to referred clients through an Agency Referral Process. Emergency assistance from LACH & partner agencies may include shelter, transportation, basic necessities and/or food.  Should you have a client that needs homeless services, please follow the steps below to refer your client. Once all documentation has been completed, contact our office at 803-283-8923 to discuss the client's needs of assistance.  
 
NOTE: This is for short term emergency shelter assistance only and does not include direct case management for long term assistance for your client.  Emergency shelter is provided to allow your client to secure long term, permanent housing.  Access to this program is contingent upon availability of limited funds.  If demands exceeds capacity/budget, LACH has the discretion to prioritize provision of assistance and reserves the right to limit or discontinue program services.  
 

1. REVIEW POLICIES & PROCEDURES

PURPOSE:  To provide emergency shelter to Lancaster County residents. Shelter may include emergency placement in a community based care setting or in a motel.  Access to this program is contingent upon availability of limited funds. If demand exceeds capacity/budget, LACH has the discretion to prioritize provision of assistance and reserves the right to limit or discontinue program services.

ELIGIBILITY:

  1. Must be a resident of Lancaster County and provide Photo ID
  2. Must have limited income and resources as determined and verified by LACH.
  3. Have a need for shelter based on one of the following:
    • Homelessness or at risk
    • Residing in housing which poses an immediate and significant health risk
  4. Must be suitable for the emergency shelter being requested. Clients who need assistance with personal care, for example, may not be safe in a motel.

RULES & REGULATIONS: 

Review the following with your client.

  1. Client should be working towards a plan for housing stability within 72 hours of this hotel stay. Specifically, client or referring agency contact must be working with regional community shelters/providers for housing stability. Please see the Resource Document for additional service providers.
  2. Client or referring agency contact must keep LACH representatives up to date with housing status if further assistance is needed beyond emergency shelter.
  3. LACH will pay only for short-term emergency assistance in the motel.
  4. Only parties approved by LACH will be granted emergency shelter. Unapproved individuals will not be able to stay with clients.
  5. LACH will not cover incidentals other than phone calls to the shelters and area nonprofits.
  6. Clients must not actively abuse drugs or alcohol during emergency stay.
  7. Failure to comply with these rules could result in eviction from emergency shelter and future assistance from LACH.

2. COMPLETE AGENCY REFERRAL FORM BELOW

 
Agency Information
Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

Review the following information with your client:

The information requested below is to assure that all homeless persons are given the opportunity to be input into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database so that the level of need in Lancaster County is well documented, allowing us to strengthen our level of service appropriately.  HMIS is a shared homeless and housing database system administered through South Carolina.  The HMIS allows authorized staff at Partner Agencies to share client information and to follow trends and service patterns over time.  South Carolina uses the VI-SPDAT (Otherwise known as the Vulnerability Index) and HMIS to collect information about client’s individual circumstances in order to help refer them to appropriate housing and services.  

The HMIS operates over the Internet and uses many security protection to ensure confidentiality.  The information collected is kept on secure, dedicated servers and may remain in the database past the expiration of the consent or after consent is withdrawn.  Your information will not be shared with any agency not participating in HMIS (unless required to do so by law.) Giving consent for your name and other identifying information to be entered in to HMIs and/or shared among partner agencies is voluntary.  Refusing to give consent will not deny your assistance, however, it may affect the agency’s ability to provide the most effective assistance in helping you to obtain shelter as quickly as possible.

Client Information
Upload requirements
Displacement Information
Yes No
Dependent's Name Relationship DOB Last 4 digits of SSN Weight
more items

By agreeing to the terms outlined in this form and signing my name below, I acknowledge that the information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge.  I have read, or have had read to me, all of the information above and that I have chosen to sign this form voluntarily.  As a recipient of emergency shelter services from LACH, I, and those family members approved by LACH to stay with me, agree to the Policy & Procedures outlined above.  I also understand that participating in HMIS does not guarantee that I will be called for shelter or that I will receive shelter.  I also understand that this consent is valid for one year from the effective date of my signature below and that I may cancel it at any time by written request.  I also hereby agree that the information released will be used only for the purposes provided and will not be released to any other individual, agency or organization without my consent.

I acknowledge that the information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge.  I have read, or have had read to me, all of the information above and that I have chosen to sign this form voluntarily.  As a recipient of emergency shelter services from LACH, I, and those family members approved by LACH to stay with me, agree to the Policy & Procedures outlined above.  I also understand that participating in HMIS does not guarantee that I will be called for shelter or that I will receive shelter.  I also understand that this consent is valid for one year from the effective date of my signature below and that I may cancel it at any time by written request.  I also hereby agree that the information released will be used only for the purposes provided and will not be released to any other individual, agency or organization without my consent.