In the Midlands, a person would have to earn $12.02 an hour to afford an apartment. Many working people simply cannot afford housing.

"The demand for housing assistance is so high in the metro area that the Columbia Housing Authority only opens the waiting list every two or three years. There are currently over 4000 people on the Section 8 waiting list in this region. The high cost of establishing housing (security deposits, first and last months’ rent and furnishings), inadequate public transportation, and for some a history of poverty or personal problems (poor credit, poor housing histories, arrest records) can make it impossible to emerge from homelessness." (Midlands Commission on Homeless)

Josh Vaughan, a Columbia resident who does maintenance at Whaley's Mill, explained that King Cobra seems to be the drink of choice for many homeless who are also alcoholics.

"The only thing i throw away behind the dumpsters are King Cobras. When I give one regular money, that's usually what's in his paper bag. So I try to keep change in my pocket; he asks for nickels and dimes. He told me his name is Daryl."