The Salvation Army's Pathway of Hope Shelter on Alexander Street in Fayetteville closed suddenly in April 2025.
Leaders with the organization cite lack of funding as the issue, saying the Salvation Army has been operating at a deficit since June 2024.
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"We have no funding partners, and we cannot continue to offer shelter without funding," said Major Aaron Goldfarb of the Salvation Army of the Sandhills Region. "This difficult decision weighs heavily on all of us as we understand the vital role this shelter plays in our community."
Residents were notified on April 15 at 7 p.m. that they would have to find another place to stay.
The organization says three families were takes to a Salvation Army center in Raleigh, one family was relocated to a hotel and the organization was working to find shelter for 26 single men and women.
"A nonprofit cannot operate without funding," Goldfarb said. "We were open 24 hours a day, providing a haven for those in greatest need. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this closure, and we're working to connect our clients with alternative resources during this challenging transition."
Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin provided a statement Tuesday about the Salvation Army's Pathway of Hope Shelter closing.
“We are saddened to hear about the closure of this valuable community asset,” Colvin said. “The city has been and continues to be committed to working with all of the community partners to address this important issue.”
Cumberland County commissioner chair Kirk deViere also released a statement Tuesday about the shelter closing.
"We are deeply concerned about the announcement regarding the immediate closure of the Salvation Army’s emergency shelter in Fayetteville," deViere said. "This shelter has been a vital resource for our most vulnerable residents, and its closure creates a gap in our community’s safety net.
"We recognize the critical importance of emergency shelters in our region and will work with the Salvation Army and other community partners to address this need."
According to the nonprofit's 2023 annual report, the Salvation Army of the Sandhills provided 17,950 nights of shelter.
The nonprofit's total revenue was $2,307,811, made up of funding from government and other agencies, special events and other revenue, the thrift store and donations.
The nonprofit's expenses in 2023 totaled $2,283,741, made up of the Corps community center, management and general, social services and fundraising costs.