The Salvation Army and the city of Augusta are attempting to meet the homelessness crisis headlong, despite the need for more funding.
According to a Salvation Army report, in the past year the Center of Hope Shelter and Soup Kitchen provided 25,000 beds, over 75,000 meals and successfully transitioned 48 families into stable housing.
“We are so excited that the conversation about homelessness in Augusta is beginning to focus on both the immediate needs and long-term solutions,” said Major Douglas McClure, area commander and senior Kroc officer of the Greater Augusta area. “The Center of Hope has a low barrier emergency shelter, and its Soup Kitchen serves two free community meals every day. We also house the area’s only family shelter, and all the services we provide are free.”
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The Salvation Army has long been forced to economize with expenses and staff to maintain their mission. Another issue for them is that the Center of Hope shelter itself is seriously outdated, having been in continuous operation since the early 1970s. The Salvation Army has plans to and build a brand new shelter in a new location, but funding is going to be the key in making a new facility happen.
Besides running the shelter and soup kitchen, the Salvation Army also tries to prevent homelessness through its “Project Share” program that aids families with rent and utilities. The Center of Hope also has a voucher store with clothing and shoes for needy families.
According to Chris Bailey, marketing and public relations manager, the Salvation Army plans to ramp up homelessness prevention in the coming year.
“The virus has hit families hard,” he says. “We know that we need to put an emphasis on homelessness prevention in 2021.”
The need for funding is critical even to make a dent in the problem. The Salvation Army spends 83 cents of every dollar directly on their various programs and so every dollar counts.
Meanwhile, the city of Augusta has been awarded $2.4 million in homeless relief funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES). A part of that funding could help the Salvation Army once the money is released from HUD to the city.
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Until the funding is released, the city is drawing from other resources with the expectation of being reimbursed by the CARES funding once it is received.
According to Daniel Evans, community development manager of the Augusta Housing and Community Development Department, the city is using emergency funding in the interim.
The HCD has spent a little over $155,000 to help provide shelter for the overflow from local shelters due to social distancing and quarantine protocols at the shelter.
Evans says the city is also helping with homelessness prevention as well.
“While not directly related to the CARES funds,” he says, “HCD and our community partners have provided through traditional grant resources over $141,000 in emergency rental assistance to either prevent households from becoming homeless or to rapidly rehouse households who have experienced homelessness into permanent housing solutions since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.”
Donations can be made directly to the Salvation Army by visiting their website at: salvationarmyaugusta.org.
Scott Hudson is the Managing Editor of The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
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