Madison County Board Votes to Extend Application Deadline for Salvation Army Shelter

EDWARDSVILLE - During their regular meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, the Madison County Board voted unanimously to extend the deadline for the Salvation Army to complete their application to potentially build a homeless shelter.

The Madison County Community Development Department (MCCD) received $2.5 million in HOME-ARP funds from the Office of Housing and Urban Development, to be used to develop a non-congregate shelter. In June 2024, MCCD published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for proposals, and the Salvation Army was the only entity to submit a Notice of Intent to respond to the NOFO.

While the Salvation Army has identified a potential site, the organization is currently working to rezone the property as a homeless shelter. Meanwhile, MCCD has until September 2030 to complete the project and use the HOME-ARP funds.

The Madison County Board Grants Committee recommended that the Salvation Army’s NOFO deadline be extended to May 31, 2026, so they have time to rezone the property. The Board voted unanimously to allow this.

The decision came on the heels of a proclamation recognizing November as National Homelessness Awareness Month in Madison County. Earlier in the meeting, Chairman Chris Slusser introduced Samantha Stangl, executive director of House Everyone STL, and noted the importance of combating homelessness.

Slusser, a member of the East-West Gateway Council Executive Board, explained that he has enjoyed working with Stangl as part of that Board. He believes that the East-West Gateway Council is on the right track to end homelessness in Madison County and beyond, though he acknowledged that more work must be done.

“We are starting to get a handle on the homeless issue and how to deal with it in a humane and dignified way,” Slusser said. “I think we’re probably ahead of the rest of the region maybe here in Madison County, which sometimes I think the bar must be set low, because I feel like we’re not doing a great job sometimes.”

Stangl shared that homelessness in the U.S. increased 18% in 2024, which is the largest number of people experiencing homelessness ever recorded. She believes Madison County is “poised to become a model for this region” to end homelessness because of the county’s resources, including the Salvation Army.

She noted that rates of homelessness in Madison County are lower than in surrounding counties, and the county has housing stock. She highlighted the work being done by groups like the Salvation Army to help people.

“You have so many folks who are working hard every single day to try and triage situations for individuals and for families,” Stangl said. “I feel very strongly that Madison County has all the elements it needs to be one of the leaders in this region on this issue and to make sure and honor that commitment that all Madison County residents have a place to call home.”

More updates on the Salvation Army shelter project will be shared as they become available.

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