The Salvation Army Announces New Site Plans for Hope House Homeless Shelter

COTTAGE HILLS - Community members gathered at Community Hope Center in Cottage Hills to learn about the new proposed site of the Hope House, a 48-bed homeless shelter operated by The Salvation Army.

On Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, leaders with Community Hope Center and The Salvation Army introduced the Hope House project and answered questions about the proposed shelter, to be built on Community Hope Center property at 1201 Hope Center Lane in Cottage Hills. They noted that the Hope House will provide emergency shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness in Madison County.

“It’s a bright day for The Salvation Army. It's a bright day for Community Hope Center. And more importantly than that, it’s a bright day for Madison County,” said General Secretary and Greater St. Louis Area Commander Major Adam Moore. “We’re not just giving folks an opportunity to have a place to sleep, but to holistically wrap around them and speak hope into the hopeless situations of their life, to create lasting change collaboratively.”

Moore explained that Salvation Army Advisory Council and Community Hope Center Board of Directors volunteer Travis Widman showed him the Community Hope Center property and invited him to imagine it as the future site of the Hope House. The Salvation Army and Widman previously hoped to build the Hope House in Alton but faced significant pushback.

Widman noted that with more space, the new site will allow them to save money by building the Hope House on one floor, with three wings. He added that they are working closely with Madison County Transit to provide transportation to and from the shelter.

The proposed shelter will have 16 suites with one bed, 12 suites with two beds, and two suites with four beds. These suites include full kitchens.

Major Cassy Grey, Pastor and Madison County Corps Administrator for The Salvation Army, noted that they will be able to sleep 48 to 52 people depending on how many children there are. She emphasized that the Hope House will serve men, women, children and families. She also expressed her appreciation to work with Community Hope Center.

“The reality is we’re many parts of one body coming together to wrap around those that are most vulnerable here in Madison County,” Grey said. “We’re moving forward with this property and with this opportunity to provide not just dignity, but opportunity for them to springboard into hope, to springboard into stability…We are just so excited about what God is going to do and how He is going to impact not just both of the agencies, but those that we serve.”

In addition to providing shelter, the Hope House will offer case management, trauma-informed support, job training, and life skills programs. Unhoused community members will be referred to the Hope House through Community Hope Center and other homeless services and partners in the county.

Community Hope Center Executive Director Ann Crane noted that her organization already works to support unhoused individuals. She believes the Hope House is another way to “strengthen and support families and neighbors who need it most.”

“The mission of Community Hope Center is connecting neighbors through service and partnership to build flourishing lives and communities,” Crane said. “What better way to live that out than to come together with the Salvation Army and provide space for the Hope House emergency shelter?”

Moore shared that the Hope House is a “25-plus-year project for The Salvation Army.” He said their next steps are to work with the Madison County Zoning Board to rezone the property of Community Hope Center so it can accommodate the Hope House. Madison County has funds available for a homeless shelter; he added that they will continue working with the county to work toward securing this funding.

With the goal to break ground in August or September of this year, Moore hopes to host a dedication ceremony for the facility by mid- to late 2027.

“All of us who are engaged in this project and actively engaged in addressing the housing challenges within Madison County will be able to be proud to say that this is an asset that our community has,” he added.

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