Cumberland County Ends Negotiations with Salvation Army for Counties only Permanent Homeless Shelter

Breaking News | Cumberland County| Local Government| Public Safety

June 20, 2025•2 min read

Cumberland County has announced that it has ended negotiations with the Salvation Army regarding the potential reopening of its Fayetteville shelter, which previously served as the county's sole homeless facility.

The process began on May 19, when the Board of Commissioners voted 4–2 to direct the County Manager to negotiate an MOU with the Salvation Army, with an annual allocation not to exceed $563,000. This directive also included requests for an Environmental Health inspection, a continued financial review, and the exploration of cost-sharing with the City of Fayetteville. The County then received the first draft of a contract from the Salvation Army on June 6. Six days later, on June 12, an Environmental Health inspection conducted by the Cumberland County Department of Public Health found mold in bathrooms and another area. The following day, June 13, County legal staff completed their review and returned the contract with noted concerns. A revised draft contract was submitted by the Salvation Army on June 17. However, on June 20, the County decided to end negotiations with the Salvation Army, citing multiple ongoing issues and unresolved concerns.

Currently, no Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or executed contract is in place. While the Salvation Army requested advance payments, Cumberland County's stated approach is to reimburse for eligible, documented expenses. The County is also aware of approximately $100,000 in unpaid invoices involving a staffing agency formerly contracted by the Salvation Army, though the County states it is not a party to those private agreements.

The County continues to coordinate with the City of Fayetteville, which is considering contributions toward shelter operations, pending Council approval.

Following the closure of the Regency Inn, Cumberland County provided temporary housing and case management for 20 families (a total of 68 individuals) at the Knights Inn. The County funded hotel stays during this transition, and County staff coordinated with community partners to provide meals and services to the families.

Board of Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere stated, "The County has a significant need for emergency temporary shelters for women and women with children. Agencies interested in partnering with the County to provide these services can contact Assistant County Manager Heather Skeens."

Lake Wood

Driven by a profound connection to his native Cumberland County, Lake Wood serves as the News Director and lead Investigative Reporter for Fay News 10. Lake embarked on his journey in television news in 2016 and has since delivered impactful coverage of significant events, from the destructive force of Hurricane Florence to the powerful voices of the 2020 protests and riots. He has also been on the ground for several presidential visits and consistently highlights the dedication of the brave men and women of Fort Bragg. A particularly memorable assignment saw him embedded with the National Guard, documenting their vital helicopter missions to assist isolated communities in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Whether navigating complex court cases or seeking solutions for consumers, Lake is committed to providing insightful and meaningful journalism for the community he calls home.

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