ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Anderson County is using an app to help unhoused people.
County leaders said the app, Survey123, has already proven its worth to track and assist the homeless population.
“It’s something that HUD requires and so the counties are actually mandated to do this count every year,” said Matthew Stipe, the Director of county Environmental Enforcement.
The enforcement office receives complaints from citizens about the amount of litter around the county. Behind the debris are people who are struggling.
Officials use the app to gather the person’s name, date of birth, social security number and more.
Stipe said the information is then shared with Hope Missions, a non-profit that provides food and shelter.
“We want to be able to go out and offer services to people right where they are without judgment at all,” said Phillips. “We’re just there to be with them. We’re just there to love on people.”
The information gathered from the app allows Hope Missions to help people find birth certificates, social security cards and valid IDs
“All those documents we use to help people find housing, to find jobs, to be able to try to get themselves upright and back in our community,” said Phillips.
Officials said Survey123 could also be helpful for other agencies to use.
“When the coroner’s office is doing an investigation they look for next of kin, which is one of the things that we’re collecting,” Stipe said. “We’re hoping that we’re going to be able to work with them as well and provide them the information.”
Want to know more? The Anderson County Annex building on East River Street has several copies of community resource guides.
