Salvation Army raising funds for new homeless shelter in Benton Harbor

The Benton Harbor Salvation Army is moving forward with plans to build a new homeless shelter, aiming to address long-standing needs in the community. The project, managed by Major Nicholas Montgomery, will replace the existing shelter located at 233 Michigan Street. The new facility will have a 26-bed capacity and will be constructed on a vacant portion of the current Salvation Army property.

Montgomery explained that the current shelter, housed in an old YMCA building, has been in disrepair for years. “The current shelter is in the old YMCA facility that is just really— it’s done, run its course for years and years,” he said. “This is going to be able to get us a facility that’s on one level. We don’t have to worry about the handicap issues. We don’t have to worry about the building falling apart.”

The Benton Harbor Planning Commission has approved the site plan for the new building, which will also serve as a hub for additional services. Montgomery described the facility as including a food pantry, staffing offices, common rooms for the men served, and laundry services. “We’re going to be able to continue to provide two meals for the men when they come in. We also provide laundry services. But then it’s also—we connect them with what we call a Pathway of Hope where we help men really get on a path to where they can become self-sufficient,” he said.

Construction of the $2.5 million facility is scheduled to begin in October, with the hope of moving in around July of next year. The old building will be demolished, and its location may be transformed into green space. So far, the Salvation Army has raised approximately $1.5 million for the project and is continuing to seek community donations to reach the funding goal.

Montgomery expressed confidence in the community’s support and the project’s purpose. “We don’t have all the funding, but we’re believing in God that He’s going to provide. We’re believing in the community that the community sees that this is a need. And again, we’re going to be able to do it together in order to serve the community in which we serve,” he said.

Source: Read the original report