Charleston Residents Working to Deal with Homelessness Issue

The issue of homelessness in Charleston has become evident to residents and the city’s leaders say they are struggling to solve it.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports Mayor Danny Jones said Charleston is a mecca for people who have “taken over our streets.” His comments came during a recent city council finance meeting and he has continued to discuss the topic on his local radio show.

City Manager David Molgaard says the goal is to improve Charleston and that the city isn’t looking to cut funding for social services or hurt the homeless. One local nonprofit director has said Jones’ comments were irresponsible and misguided.

In January 2016 Jones ordered the dismantling of “Tent City” near the Spring Street Bridge where about 20 to 30 people lived in an encampment.