United Way to end emergency shelter operations at Martha’s Hope in Anniston

United Way of East Central Alabama will end emergency shelter operations at Martha’s Hope, The Martha Vandervoort Center to End Homelessness, on July 31. This decision marks a significant shift for one of Northeast Alabama’s primary resources for people experiencing homelessness. The nonprofit, in collaboration with city leaders, cited financial and operational challenges as the primary reasons for the change.

The nonprofit and city leaders say the decision comes after reviewing the financial and operational challenges of maintaining the shelter’s current model. Martha’s Hope currently provides four family units and 55 individual beds. According to United Way officials, operating the facility around the clock has become increasingly difficult.

“It’s approximately $34,000 a month just in utilities that does not include any personnel cost to operate a 24/7 shelter at that capacity,” said Jessica Smith, director of community engagement for United Way of East Central Alabama.

The City of Anniston said it understands and supports the decision, citing the significant funding, staffing, facility management, security, case management and volunteer coordination required to sustain emergency shelter operations. Despite the closure of shelter services, officials say their immediate focus is ensuring those currently staying at Martha’s Hope have a plan moving forward.

“We are meeting individually with every client who is at the shelter we are going to help create them a roadmap for their next steps where their next resource is available and help them figure out where they are going to go,” Smith said.

City leaders emphasized that the shelter was never intended to be a standalone solution to homelessness. Martha’s Hope grew out of a homelessness task force formed by the City of Anniston following the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021. More than 20 organizations from across Calhoun County met regularly to address homelessness and develop resources for the region.

“The city invested 1.2 million dollars into this project in order to begin the project once,” said Jackson Hodges, Anniston’s public relations director. But demand for shelter services has grown substantially in recent years.

According to Hodges, cold-weather shelter operations that once served between 30 and 40 people on a busy night now often see 70 to 80 individuals seeking assistance… “because there is not another regional asset like this.”

Both city and nonprofit leaders say the increasing demand highlights a broader regional challenge.

Source: Read the original report