Trident United Way tackles housing struggles among Lowcountry veterans with care kits, year-round support

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — For some Lowcountry veterans, the battle doesn’t end when their military service does.

Rising housing costs and everyday expenses are leaving some struggling to make ends meet.

This Veterans Day, Trident United Way brought volunteers together to pack more than 700 care kits for veterans experiencing homelessness, while highlighting a larger mission to help military-connected families achieve long-term financial stability.

The kits, assembled Wednesday at the Harbour Club at WestEdge and Bishop Gadsden, contain hygiene products, emergency blankets, hand warmers, food items and other everyday essentials.

They will be distributed through Project Street Outreach during an upcoming Thanksgiving event on Nov. 21.

But organizers say the need extends far beyond what can fit inside a bag.

According to Trident United Way, 21% of veterans in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties are considered ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed.

The designation describes individuals and households earning above the federal poverty level but still struggling to afford necessities such as housing, food, transportation and health care.

“We know that 21% of the veterans here in the Tri-County are ALICE, meaning that they’re struggling to meet the basic needs because they’re doing everything right, but costs are rising, and they’re struggling to keep up with that,” a Trident United Way representative said.

Housing costs add to financial pressure

Housing remains one of the biggest financial challenges facing veterans who are already struggling to afford basic necessities.

Research from United For ALICE found that in 2019, 44% of South Carolina veteran renters living below the ALICE Threshold spent at least 35% of their income on rent.

That means a significant portion of their income went toward keeping a roof over their heads, leaving less money for groceries, medical expenses, transportation and unexpected emergencies.

For veterans experiencing homelessness, finding stable housing can present additional challenges, including navigating multiple agencies and assistance programs.

“A lot of the veterans in the Tri-County are unhoused or really struggling and going through financial crisis right now, and so these kits really help address some of that,” a Trident United Way representative said.

A long-term mission beyond Veterans Day

While Wednesday’s care kits provide immediate assistance, Trident United Way says its Mission United program is designed to address the larger challenges facing veterans and their families.

The program connects veterans, active-duty service members and military-connected families with community resources for housing, employment, health care, legal assistance and financial support.

Rather than requiring individuals to navigate multiple organizations independently, Mission United works with a network of community partners to help connect them with services that fit their circumstances.

Eligible participants can also receive one-on-one assistance from a family coach to develop financial goals, reduce debt, improve credit, build savings and work toward greater stability.

“We also know that the veteran system can be very difficult to navigate, and so that is why we have our Mission United or Thrive at Military initiative,” a Trident United Way representative said.

The organization says its family coach working with veterans is also a veteran, allowing her to bring firsthand experience to those conversations.

“Our family coach who is working with the veterans is actually a lived veteran herself, and so she’s able to have that one-on-one conversation and build that rapport with them,” the representative said.

Mission United is part of Trident United Way’s broader goal of helping 15,000 families move out of poverty by 2035.

Organizers say the care kits are intended to help veterans facing immediate challenges, while the organization’s year-round services aim to provide a pathway toward lasting financial security.

For veterans and military families seeking assistance, more information is available at TUW.org/Mission-United.