Gastonia purchases homeless shelter for future use

  • 2025-05-07
What was once the homeless shelter provided by the Salvation Army on South Broad Street in downtown Gastonia has been purchased by the city.

Costing $2m, the buy was approved by the City Council. The property was purchased as is and the city is trying to determine what its future purpose will be. Jennifer Stepp, a member of the City Council, said that there have been discussions about potential uses, including converting it to office space, making it a senior center, and even reselling it. She added that the Council is open to ideas but nothing specific has been decided.

Stepp said that should the property be considered as a homeless shelter owned by the city, Gaston County would need to lead that effort. She added that the Department of Health and Human Services is a countywide endeavor but working with the county to provide shelter for the homeless at that location or somewhere else is being considered.

News of such purchases and future considerations for such property are often made known throughout a city with flyer printing.

The shelter was closed by the Salvation Army in August 2024. It is now offering its programs – which include the clothing closet, emergency financial assistance, case management, and its drive-through food pantry – at its new location on Union Road.