The HUD Columbia Field Office Director (FOD) and Field Policy and Management (FPM) staff participated in a day-long event of Project Homeless Connect, hosted by Columbia, South Carolina Mayor Bob Coble. Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, Phillip Mangano and his staff were present for the events. The events included a one-stop connection with several local providers of health, mental health/substance abuse, housing, transitional housing, employment, legal services, benefits programs, veterans services, disability services, family services, etc at the Columbia Emergency Shelter. The FOD and FPM staff members participated all morning at the Columbia Emergency Shelter, guiding individuals to the provider stations within the shelter. Columbia, South Carolina Mayor Coble hosted a press conference with The State newspaper, ABC Columbia, WIS 10 TV, and WLTX 19 news. Mr. Mangano spoke of the challenges and accomplishments made regarding homelessness throughout the nation. He also expressed the increase of funding allocations the City of Columbia and other cities across the nation have received to meet these challenges. FOD William D. Gregorie spoke on not just managing homelessness, but actually eliminating it. Mr. Mangano and his staff toured the City and met with local organizations i.e. United Way, Salvation Army, faith-based leaders and business owners during a lunch meeting to discuss the commitment needed to combat homelessness.

The City of Columbia was chosen as the last stop of a week-long tour by Mr. Mangano, which he expressed the dedication and commitment the City of Columbia's Mayor has made towards this issue.

As a powerful self-esteem builder, local homeless receive haircuts and manicures

Mr. Mangano and the Columbia Field Office Director, Dudley Gregorie