Huntington, W.Va. – The Huntington City Council approved a resolution Monday evening, spearheaded by mayor Patrick Farrell, to redirect funding towards a newly proposed homeless shelter. The decision involves shifting the remaining funds from this fiscal year,along with an additional $350,000 for FY 2026,away from the Huntington City Mission’s low-barrier emergency facility.

A Shift in Priorities

Mayor Farrell, early in his first term, signaled a change in direction by reducing financial support for the Huntington City Mission’s low-barrier shelter. His concerns centered on the mission’s location in a converted chapel near the central business district. This decision has sparked debate about the city’s approach to addressing homelessness.

The New Shelter: A Public-Private Partnership

The new shelter will be located in a renovated public works building at 96 West 3rd Avenue, in an area primarily occupied by local businesses. It will operate as a public-private partnership, with Valley Health Systems leading the construction and equipment efforts. The resolution allocates up to $1 million for the project, covering construction, renovation, and equipment costs.

Uncertain Future for Huntington City Mission

The Huntington City Mission, which broke ground on a new low-barrier shelter last year, now faces an uncertain future due to the loss of city-facilitated staff funding. [[3]] The proposed 2025 city budget includes meaningful cuts to the mission,which currently operates the only overnight shelter in the city,the Funderburk Chapel. [[1]]

Valley Health’s Vision for Thorough Services

Valley Health Physician Sydnee McElroy outlined a vision for the new shelter that extends beyond basic necessities.At a recent press conference, she stated that the refuge would offer comprehensive services:

You’re also going to be able to access the absolute best in health care services, along with behavioral health services, recovery Services, meet with peers who can help you in that next step when you’re ready in your recovery journey. Meet with behavioral health counselors who can help you manage your serious mental illness. Meet with case managers and social workers who can help you meet those next needs when you actually become housed,to keep you from getting evicted.
Sydnee McElroy, Valley Health Physician

McElroy believes this partnership will demonstrate the community’s capacity to combat homelessness more effectively.

Addressing Barriers to Access

McElroy also addressed the systemic challenges that hinder access to services for vulnerable populations:

I will tell you that a lot of the time, the barriers to members of our community accessing all their needs are things like political barriers, financial barriers, bureaucracy, bias.
Sydnee McElroy, Valley Health Physician

Funding Source: Opioid Settlement Monies

The funding for the new low-barrier shelter originates from the city’s share of opioid settlement monies, distributed by the West Virginia First Foundation. The resolution stipulates that the city will reimburse Valley Health for its expenses using these funds. [[2]]