In October, ECHO proudly celebrated ten years of dedicated service, working to break the cycles of homelessness for individuals and families in the 13 northeastern counties of South Carolina. Since its founding in 2014, ECHO has offered hope and support to 16,916 people facing or at risk of homelessness, provided through a comprehensive range of housing initiatives.
ECHO’s programs include homelessness and eviction prevention, emergency shelter services, street outreach, transitional bridge housing, joint transitional/rapid-rehousing, rapid-rehousing, and permanent supportive housing. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), which was enacted during the height of Covid-19, assisted 4,262 households alone. The additional 5,260 households assisted through ECHO programs include:
- 1,770 veterans
- 1,582 survivors of domestic violence
- 425 youth and young adults (unaccompanied 18-24 year olds)
- 1,173 people experiencing chronic homelessness
Over the past decade, ECHO has successfully helped 2,366 households—a total of 4,111 people—transition out of homelessness into safe, stable homes. Additionally, through preventative efforts, 4,985 households comprising 9,420 individuals were able to avoid the trauma and disruption of eviction and homelessness, underscoring the effectiveness of ECHO’s approach in breaking these cycles before they start.
In providing 132,076 nights of emergency housing, ECHO has offered more than shelter—it has provided security, comfort, and a crucial first step towards recovery. Among these, 1,224 people found temporary refuge through our transitional housing programs, while 563 individuals received hotel vouchers, ensuring immediate safety and peace of mind in times of crisis.
A significant portion of this emergency housing support came through NardMoor, ECHO’s dedicated transitional bridge housing facility for veterans. NardMoor contributed 50,226 nights of shelter, serving 542 veterans with an average stay of 60 days. 424 veterans from NardMoor successfully transitioned to permanent housing, a testament to ECHO’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that those who served our country receive the support they deserve.
As ECHO celebrates a decade of impact, it’s a time to reflect on the journey so far and the lives transformed along the way. These milestones are a testament to the dedication of our team, support from our partners, and the resilience of those we serve. Looking ahead, we are even more inspired to continue to expand our reach, innovate and strengthen our programs, and work toward lasting solutions. With this renewed commitment to our mission, we remain focused on building a future where everyone in our community has a place to call home.
