The Salvation Army is marking the start of construction on a new two-story men’s shelter in downtown Peoria, as fundraising efforts for the $30 million project continue.
Major Heath Sells, the Salvation Army’s Central Illinois Area Commander, says the new building will more than double the current capacity to meet community needs.
“We’ve seen, in the last few years, the rising need and we need to start now, even though we don’t have all the funds ready,” said Sells, adding the agency has raised $18 million to date.
“The urgency is so great, we can’t wait. We know that there are men that need to have shelter, and we don’t have enough space. Corporately, with all the nonprofits in the area that join us in collaboration, don’t have enough space.”
The Salvation Army held a groundbreaking Friday at the site of the now demolished former Peoria Labor Temple, with construction on the new shelter building scheduled to start in earnest on Monday.
The two-story, 19,000-square-foot upgraded shelter has been in development for close to two years. Sells said the new facility will have improved security, dedicated dormitories and dining areas, behavioral health services, and space for programs such as job training.
“Our building has served us well for 20 years, but we are more than beyond the capacity of what this building can offer,” said Sells.
“Ideally, we don’t want men to stay here forever. This is an opportunity for them to get back on their feet, re-enter to society, get housing, get all the supports that they need.”
Community Director Joe Dulin spoke on behalf of the City of Peoria administration that helped secure a $2 million state grant for the project.
“For anyone who’s paid attention in our community the last year or so, homelessness is an issue that is often talked about,” said Dulin. “We really believe at the city that housing is a fundamental right that everyone should have, and when people ask what the solution is homelessness, the solution is fairly easy: Housing.
“The role Salvation Army plays in housing, having that shelter, having a place where someone can go when they need a place to stay and those support services they provide, is just one step in the ecosystem of housing.”
Sells said the need has grown significantly in the past five years, with the latest count in conjunction with the Home For All Continuum of Care, estimating the number of unhoused individuals jumping from about 200 to more than 600 over that time.
“The increase mental health [problems] is part of that, for sure. About 80% of our men self-identify with mental health issues,” said Sells, pointing to a shortage of residential space as a contributing factor. “The housing market in Peoria, there’s just not enough inventory. So those who live in the margins are most affected, and that’s where the Salvation Army steps in.”
The new facility officially will be named the Royal and Kathy Coulter Center for Hope Men’s Safety Net Shelter. In addition to the shelter, the full project envisions an overhaul of the entire Salvation Army campus, with a renovation of the administrative building, enhanced parking, and upgrades to a pedestrian walkway.
Once the new shelter is open, the current shelter will be demolished to make way for veterans services and family services building.
Sells said the hope is to have construction on the new shelter done by the end of 2026, adding there will not be any disruption of services while the work is being going on.
“Today, I hope, is a beacon to those who need the Salvation Army, to let them know that we’re committed to serving them, as well as a call to the community at large to say we need your help as well,” he said.
