SUMTER, S.C. — Sumter United Ministries has expanded its services to offer new emergency shelter options and transitional housing in the form of five tiny homes.

The emergency shelter opened a week earlier and is now accepting individuals and families experiencing crises such as job loss, eviction, or long-term homelessness. In addition to the shelter, the ministry is offering mothers with young children the opportunity to qualify for one of the newly built tiny homes.

Before moving into a tiny home, families must first spend at least 30 days in the emergency shelter. During that time, shelter staff observe their daily routines, ask screening questions, and assess their readiness for independent living.

Daphney Scarborough, the shelter ministry director, said families who don’t meet the

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