Love’s Army protected the homeless | Salvation Army 2020 COVID Impact Report

Love’s Army is protecting the homeless

A furloughed worker came in for food and shared his financial fears. The Salvation Army helped him contact his mortgage company and arrange a plan to keep his family in their home.A furloughed worker came in for food and shared his financial fears. The Salvation Army helped him contact his mortgage company and arrange a plan to keep his family in their home.

“I fell asleep at police departments sometimes, just to know my children were safe.” Angel and her daughters were homeless, living in their car due to the COVID-19 crisis. But through The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope program, they are now back on track, living in the safety of their own apartment.“I fell asleep at police departments sometimes, just to know my children were safe.” Angel and her daughters were homeless, living in their car due to the COVID-19 crisis. But through The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope program, they are now back on track, living in the safety of their own apartment.

In 2019, The Salvation Army provided 81,000 households with rent or mortgage assistance. At an estimated $500 average per family, the cumulative amount needed to help was $40 million. As the financial fallout of COVID-19 continues, the need will be even greater in years to come.In 2019, The Salvation Army provided 81,000 households with rent or mortgage assistance. At an estimated $500 average per family, the cumulative amount needed to help was $40 million. As the financial fallout of COVID-19 continues, the need will be even greater in years to come.

The Salvation Army provided over
1.7 million nights of COVID-19 shelter
in 2020.

Those who are homeless are far more vulnerable to the perils of this world, such as weather, hunger, and sickness.

James Hardaway, a retired Marine who has worked with The Salvation Army for the past four years, remembers what it’s like to be homeless. “I woke up covered in snow. I didn’t feel it because I had three sleeping bags at the time.”

As COVID-19 cases increased, the most vulnerable population became even more vulnerable. But thanks to our donors, The Salvation Army has continued to serve not only as a place of refuge for the homeless, but also as a place of healing and change. We continue to adapt and deliver brand-new services to help the most vulnerable amid the pandemic at 990 shelters, housing facilities, and senior living centers.

The implementation of hygiene kits and cleaning and distancing protocols at our facilities are protecting those in need. And as millions of Americans continue to lose jobs and paychecks, our rent and utility assistance programs are helping to keep them in their homes.