Gastonia to transition homelessness shelter to one of prevention

  • 2024-07-06
The Salvation Army of Gaston and Lincoln Counties will be converting its emergency homeless shelter program to one of homelessness prevention.

The Center of Hope Facility on Broad Street in Gastonia will continue to host the food pantry, case management, and emergency financial services. However, by the end of the summer it will no longer offer emergency shelter services for residents in need.

Richard Franks, mayor of Gastonia, said that the county and the city recognized that the Salvation Army provides essential services, and the city will support this transition to continue to help those who are experiencing homelessness. He added that the city will work with its partners to assess the needs of the city and develop the most feasible solution for everyone.

News of such changes is often disseminated throughout a city with flyer printing.

The Advisory Board of the Salvation Army made the decision to transition the emergency shelter program to a homelessness prevention program. Over 70 members of the community were involved in a Mission Planning Study in 2023, and revealed that the emergency shelter program is no longer a cost-effective way to serve those who are homeless in the community.

Chairman of the Gaston County Board of Commissioners, Chad Brown, said that the county and the city are committed to working together to ensure that those who require assistance will get the essential services they need.