GASTONIA, N.C. — A building some called a beacon of hope in Gastonia has now closed.
"The Salvation Army is closing help, we need help," said a person facing homelessness who spoke with WCNC Charlotte on Saturday.
"We are making the problem worse on purpose," said another resident, also unhoused.
The decision to close both the homeless shelter and the meal program has some facing homelessness feeling neglected. They said it's bringing a change some say will have a big impact on Gastonia.
"I have watched so many people die out here," said an unhoused neighbor, "they don’t care and it's going to go up."
"There will be a lot more people arrested for stealing a sandwich," he added.
The Gastonia Salvation Army is transitioning its focus from short-term emergency shelter support to long-term sustainable housing solutions. The group says weekly case management meetings are ongoing to measure each person’s progress and to provide additional resources as needed
"I don’t think they will help even though they say they will," said another unhoused neighbor.
The closure is leaving many who are in need of help with one question.
"Who's going to get this transitional housing?"
Leaders at the Salvation Army say so far, 34 residents from the emergency shelter have successfully moved into permanent housing. Still, some people still feel like that goal is further out of reach for those already out on the streets.
"There are brothers and sisters right here walking around and you are turning your back on them," said one neighbor.
It's an issue they said is causing some to lose the last thing ever lost—hope.
"A lot of the hope and the good in this community is going to go away," one said.
Contact Tradesha Woodard at twoodard1@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.