The city will spend $47,500 on a consultant to research the needs of local homeless people and write a report on the best way to proceed. Local dollars won't be spent; the money comes through a federal grant from Washington.

This isn't what advocates expected after years spent trying to generate action. But supporters believe it's the key to unlocking new pots of federal money for permanent solutions, such as a shelter and transitional housing.

In other words, you've got to spend money to get more money. Last year, the federal government awarded $1.4 billion to local and state communities to provide services for the homeless. Of that, $1.8 million went to a Columbia-based homeless coalition.

"Because we haven't been able to present our needs, we can't get any of those funds up here," said Rock Hill City Councilman John Gettys. "We don't have that expertise. That's why we have to get someone who knows what they're doing."

Given what's already been done, the consultant idea drew a puzzled reaction from Mayor Doug Echols, who questioned what new information could be revealed but ultimately gave his support.

"What I don't want to do is spend $47,500 on a study, and in May 2009 you come back to us and say, 'We have a homeless problem in Rock Hill,'" Echols said. "I understand that now."

A year ago, volunteers fanned out to count and survey the local homeless population. They tromped through woods and peeked under highway overpasses, ultimately reporting that 375 homeless people stay in York County on any given night.

An east/west divide has emerged. On the eastern side near Interstate 77 are drifters who cycle between here and Charlotte. In the county's rural central and western areas, families and people who fall behind on their bills are more common.

Advocates point to signs of progress. An emergency winter shelter opened in the local Salvation Army. A 14-bed shelter for men called The Haven has operated since 2005 on Archive Street on the city's south side.

Though a number of aid agencies and volunteers have come together, they lack a specialist who can paint a complete picture of needs, said Stephen Cox, president of the board for the Pilgrims' Inn shelter.

The study will culminate in a 10-year action plan for Rock Hill and York County, a similar approach to what other communities are doing.

"What we really need to do is figure out what's the current population that's not being served and what services do they need?" Cox said. "Sometimes you just need to have a professional who's in the business of doing this."

As for why a study wasn't done earlier, organizers say it took until now to find a way to pay for it, in this case with a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Said Lora Holladay, chairwoman of the city's homeless task force: "A lot of the service providers are in the trenches every day working. This (study) is about anticipating the future, getting out ahead of a problem that's growing as our population grows."

The lone opponent was Councilman Kevin Sutton, who isn't against the effort but said he worries about picking and choosing among nonprofits asking for money.

In this case, the local United Way is partnering on the study. Sutton said the move could set a precedent and open the way for other groups to ask for a share.