CHARLOTTE, N.C. — What do you do when the center of hope turns to a place of despair?
It’s a question many families living at the Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte can’t seem to answer.
"As soon as you go in and turn the corner, it's hell. I'm not safe. My family is not safe," a resident told WCNC Charlotte.
While they’re not willing to share their identities, they’re no longer holding back on their story.
"It's like they're punishing you for being homeless," another resident said.
These residents shared concerns about mold on the ceilings and trash covering the floors. They also expressed concerns for children's safety because of what they described as other people at the shelter suffering from mental illnesses.
"A child came across a needle in the playground and they had to call an ambulance because he picked it up," a resident recalled.
There were also some concerns about safety with many weapons being found inside the building, according to residents who spoke to WCNC Charlotte. These residents said that even though metal detectors beep, no one stops them from walking right on in.
"I have a video of me going all the way upstairs and me going to the room with a knife," a resident shared. "I'm scared of the people with mental illnesses coming in and attacking me or my baby."
WCNC Charlotte's Tradesha Woodard took many of these concerns to Salvation Army leadership. They responded saying they did experience a couple of water leaks following Hurricane Helene and any mold had already been addressed. They also said drugs are not permitted on-site, and they have a cleaning company that cleans throughout the building daily, including emptying the trash regularly.
Families shared pictures of trash overflowing with hopes of showing the filth that lives inside the building.
"The floors are just caked with dirt, we are in here suffering," they said.
Leaders with the Salvation Army said individuals do not have to maintain sobriety to enter their programs, and they work with folks who face those challenges to overcome substance abuse.
Folks living there say that’s far from the truth. They said while many people are able to come to the shelter, resources are scarce and they're on their own.