Salvation Army in Alexandria, Louisiana, explains shelter policy, fees and alcohol testing

The Salvation Army in Alexandria, Louisiana, has explained its shelter policy in an interview with News Channel 5 (KALB). Major Bill Shafer, of the Salvation Army in Alexandria, said the shelter has 40 beds for men, 33 of which are for emergency and transitional housing. He said the beds have been at capacity since November 2023.

Shafer said the shelter once had a wing reserved for women, but that wing ended up being filled with men because, in his account, women did not show up to the shelter. He also said no one else has come to the shelter, even during the colder days this winter.

Shafer said the organization has met with the office of Mayor Jacque Roy to discuss cold-weather housing and shelter. KALB reported that it is unclear what resulted from those meetings.

News Channel 5 was told that many people experiencing homelessness are not willing to come to the Salvation Army because of its policies against drinking and drug use. Mandatory alcohol tests are performed to ensure that no intoxicated persons are in the building. Shafer said there is no fee for veterans, while residents who are not veterans pay $12, which he described as a matter of personal responsibility. Asked about the fee, he said, “Not everybody pays the $12 fee. I’m not going to leave them out. It’s part of the program. Help them move forward, but they have to be willing to move forward.”

Shafer said he will present points and information at the Alexandria City Council meeting in February. News Channel 5 also plans to speak with him further this week.

Source: Read the original report