Salvation Army considers suspension of emergency shelter services

Shown in this still from video, Major Phillip Irish of the Salvation Army talks about the possibly of having to close the Salvation Army shelter within the next two weeks, as Major Lynn Irish, right, looks on during the Continuum Of Care Board of Governors and General Membership Meetings in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.

Leadership of the Ocala Salvation Army has proposed a suspension of emergency shelter services for up to a year at their downtown Center of Hope in order to regroup because of what has been called a “budgetary break point.”

Maj. Phillip Irish of the Ocala operation proposed a temporary closure to review services and funding sources, which, according to a staff member, includes resident meals, at a meeting on May 27 of Ocala-Marion County Continuum of Care partner agencies and nonprofits that extend care to the homeless. The proposed suspension of emergency shelter services will be discussed for a final decision at a June 3 scheduled advisory board meeting.

In a video of the meeting taken by the “Gazette,” Irish can be heard referring to “dwindling funds” and “conversation with headquarters” about the difficult situation. He stated that drawdowns on reserves over several years to keep the emergency shelter open were in the range of $1 million.

In the event of a temporary emergency shelter closure, extreme weather shelter availability might be changed to daytime hours only, Irish is heard stating in the video.

“In recent years we have experienced financial strain on what were once dependable funding sources and strategies. Significant reserves have been supplementing operations as we have been navigating the challenges of funding disruptions, skyrocketing expenses and critical staffing shortages,” Irish wrote in an email following the C of C meeting.

He said the sources and strategies he cited “primarily refers to results of the Christmas kettles and direct mail support.” Irish also referred in the email to funding and staff shortages and increasing expenses.

“These pressures increased rapidly over the past several months as we came out of a Christmas funding shortfall. We are now approaching a budgetary break point. Rather than closing the shelter program indefinitely, we are currently examining ‘suspending’ our shelter activities for a limited period of six to 12 months. Other services would remain intact and continue to operate out of The Center of Hope facility,” Irish wrote.

“During this time, a reassessment of specific sheltering needs and/or gaps can be conducted along with identifying appropriate and sustainable funding solutions with the community. We are looking to have this decided and a date set, if necessary, at our advisory board meeting on June 3. Emergency shelter services are vital and I am confident that The Salvation Army with the support our community can find a sustainable solution together,” he wrote in part.

Advisory board member Jim Hilty, an Ocala city councilman, said he looks forward to the board meeting to consider “funding avenues within the Salvation Army’s rules and regulations.”

According to Ocala Salvation Army Program Coordinator Scott Lyles, the facility has a total of 108 beds, 40 extreme weather night mats and capacity for 40 more mats in the dining hall. Lyles stated that in the last year, the Center for Hope has provided shelter for 1,165 people, night lodging for 12,535 and fed 23,263. According to HUD data, most of the beds are for adult men.

“We don’t have a lot of flexibility in this community when it comes to (emergency shelter beds that are) low barrier … and (for) men,” Irish stated at the C of C meeting.

The next largest emergency housing agencies are Interfaith Emergency Services, with 35 beds focused on families, and CASA Marion, a domestic violence shelter, with 22 beds. The Arnette House nonprofit has 12 beds for juveniles, according to HUD data.

Stacie Causey, director of Marion County Board of County Commissioners Public Relations, stated in an email that as part of the “Ocala Marion Continuum of Care, our Community Services team remains at-the-ready to support local nonprofits like the Salvation Army’s Ocala location and the CoC’s mission to make homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring.”

According to salvationarmyusa.org/usa-southern-territory, the outreach offers an array of services including combating hunger, homelessness and hunger; utility assistance programs and recovery and job training programs for adults and more.

Irish’s normal transfer to another location within the organization is expected to occur sometime in June.

To view the video, go to ocalagazette.com/continuum-of-care-board-of-governors-and-membership-meetings-may-27-2025/
To learn more, go to ocala.salvationarmyflorida.org and marionflcoc.org/about-us/coc-overview