Homeless shelter run by Gastonia pastor closes due to safety violation
Gastonia Pastor Moses Colbert wants to help the homeless community despite the closing of his Gastonia homeless shelter, the Faith, Hope and Love Enrichment Center.
“I have people living in the shelter that are scared with nowhere else to go,” Colbert said Monday.
Colbert began pastoring to the homeless community with hot meals and shelter 19 years ago. He runs a homeless shelter out of a place of worship located at 602 N. Marietta St.
He received a notice of fire and safety code violations from the city's zoning and fire departments Friday, requiring him to cease using the church as a homeless shelter.
The notices required Colbert to close the shelter immediately.
"I'm confused because all of the resources are here in Gastonia but it doesn't seem like people care to help," said Colbert.
Colbert opened the shelter in September 2019 to help those in need, whether they were struggling with homelessness, drugs, alcohol, addictions or other problems, he said.
The shelter houses about 20 to 40 people per night including men, women and families.
One woman, who identified herself as Queen, appreciated being able to be in the same shelter as her disabled adult son at the Faith, Love and Hope Enrichment Center.
“I was leasing a home and the property owners sold it so we had no where to go,” said Queen, who started staying at the shelter two weeks ago.
Queen says she started sleeping in her car after losing her home. She said she was hospitalized from suffering from hypothermia while homeless.
“I’m scared that same thing is going to happen when the shelter closes because we don’t have anywhere else to go,” said Queen.
Queen studied cybersecurity at the University of Maryland and studied psychology and sociology at the University of South Carolina, she said.
“It’s hard to be able to work remotely when I have nowhere to stay,” said Queen.
The homeless shelter offers people places to sleep, eat, socialize and take life skills classes.
“We do this because sometimes people lose their footing and need help finding their way,” said Colbert.
Mark Dunovant, 56, of Gastonia became homeless a year ago. He started coming to the shelter two months ago.
“My girlfriend and my mother passed away and my sisters are sick,” said Dunovant. “I don’t have anywhere to go and this place keeps me out of the rain and cold.”
Dunovant says that he stays at the shelter every other night, depending on the weather. He found out about the shelter closing this morning.
“I can only afford to stay in some motel rooms sometimes,” said Dunovant. “I don’t know where I’m going tonight. I’m still trying to figure that out.”
The shelter will be closing due to fire and safety violations, such as the lack of a fire alarm, according to a notice provided by the Gastonia Fire Department.
"I hate to see these things happen because the need is so great but we can't put that need above the safety of individuals in the building," said Councilman Robert Kellogg.
Kellogg says the city remains bound by a legal process to make sure buildings are as safe as possible for those inside.
"Our legal process requires us to give ample time for these codes to be met and we can't just turn a blind eye to potential safety hazards," said Kellogg.
Some living in the shelter began finding new places to stay this morning and throughout the afternoon.
Colbert said he has not given up on his idea of opening another shelter for the elderly in the future where they can play games and enjoy hot food.
Reach Janiya Winchester at 704-869-1842 or jwinchester@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gastonia homeless shelter closes due to fire, safety code violations
