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How 14,803 Salvation Army beds each night translates to real human impact from Alaska to Arizona.
While statistics paint a sobering picture of homelessness across America, The Salvation Army Western Territory is responding with innovative, effective solutions tailored to local needs. As Territorial Social Services Director Christopher Hogan writes in “In addressing housing crisis, The Salvation Army is committed to excellence,” responding to homelessness requires “programs of excellence” that combine spiritual care, best practices, clear purpose, strong operations and meaningful outcomes.
The following vignettes showcase these principles in action across the West—from a tiny home community in Washington to a safe parking program in Oregon, an employment initiative in California to emergency heat relief in Arizona. Each story represents one piece of the comprehensive approach that provides over 3.8 million nights of lodging annually through nearly 180 specialized housing programs.
These examples demonstrate how The Salvation Army creates environments that help people overcome barriers—mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually—to realize their God-given potential and achieve sustainable independence.
1. In Palmer, Alaska, a bellringer finds support and hope at local corps
Homeless and living in a car, John Thomas approached The Salvation Army Mat-Su Valley Corps in Palmer, Alaska, for a bellringer position. Ministry Leader Troy Cook recognized Thomas needed more than employment.
Cook connected Thomas and his wife with Family Services Coordinator Sheryl Tichenor, who arranged hotel accommodations, food pantry access and support services.
During their four-week hotel stay, Thomas’s background check cleared and he became a paid bellringer.
“For me, it was the emotional support, not just the job. It was both,” Thomas said.
The couple now works toward permanent housing while dreaming of building a cabin. Thomas’s advice to others facing similar challenges: “Don’t lose hope. There are still people out there who are willing to help.”
2. In Portland, Oregon, people find a safe place to park—and reset their lives
Portland’s Sunderland Safe Park opened in July 2023 as a joint city-county project aimed at transitioning people from street living to permanent housing. Managed by The Salvation Army, the gated facility accommodates 55 RVs housing up to 110 adults and their pets.
The park offers comprehensive amenities: six full bathrooms with showers, laundry facilities, daily hot meals, and a 24/7 food pantry. On-site case managers work with residents while the facility maintains round-the-clock staffing.
Executive Director Justin Moshkowski notes the psychological transformation takes time. “It can take a month, maybe two, for people to settle in and start to reset,” he said. “They have to adapt from a survival mindset… to realizing that food is always accessible and their stuff is safe.”
This security restores dignity. “When you’re not staying up to keep your stuff safe…you can sleep all night,” Moshkowski said.
3. In Northern California, a transitional housing program is final step before home
Hope Vista, an eight-house transitional living community in Olivehurst, California, serves as the critical bridge between homelessness and permanent housing for families in Yuba and Sutter counties. Initially created to house Camp Fire survivors in 2019, it now operates as the region’s only dedicated transitional housing program.
The Salvation Army partners with both counties to support residents who are already engaged with county services. Major Julius Murphy, who oversaw the program, reports a 95 percent success rate for securing permanent housing, with most families staying just 45 days or less.
“I’m excited about what happens at Hope Vista,” Murphy said. “With a lot of the families, the kids will walk in and say, ‘I get my own room.’ They never had that before.”
Hope Vista provides a peaceful, home-like environment that prepares families for their permanent residences, while county social workers continue support after families move on.
4. In Silicon Valley, donors fund critical shelter for unhoused women
Despite Silicon Valley’s wealth and innovation, Santa Clara (California) County houses the nation’s fourth-largest homeless population, with single older women representing a particularly vulnerable demographic.
“Historically, there are more beds for men, but single women are underserved,” said The Salvation Army Silicon Valley Administrator Major Daniel Freeman. “Without a police encounter, addiction or mental health issues, or children, there are only about a dozen beds available to more than 500 single women on a nightly basis.”
The Salvation Army’s Emmanuel House, a 65-year-old facility providing comprehensive services for men, is now expanding through donor funding to create a separate, secure 50-bed wing for women—making it the largest shelter for unhoused single women in the region.
Donor and Emmanuel House Advisory Board Member Maria Belusar said the addition of a women’s wing “demonstrates The Salvation Army’s dedication to adapting to the community’s needs, as well as providing a safe environment for those who are most vulnerable.”
5. An overnight safe space provides crucial rest for Hilo’s unhoused
In Hilo, Hawaii—America’s wettest city with 130 inches of annual rainfall—The Salvation Army has created an essential overnight refuge for those experiencing homelessness.
The Hilo Overnight Safe Space offers a low-barrier, pet-friendly shelter under a tent on the corps grounds from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., protecting guests from both harsh weather and security concerns.
“It’s really for them to come in and sleep and not have to worry about getting abused, getting their belongings stolen and just getting a good night’s rest,” said Corps Officer Captain Felicia LeMar.
The impact was immediate. After the first night, one guest stretched, yawned and declared: “That was the best sleep I had in weeks. And I’ll be back tonight.”
LeMar said, “That’s really what it’s about—so they could get a good night’s rest and go and be productive.”
6. Across Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming, a call center provides a critical first link in crisis response
The Connection Center serves as a vital lifeline across Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming, handling nearly 2,800 calls monthly with just six case managers providing emergency assistance, resource referrals and housing navigation.
“We are the first call most people make in crisis,” said Program Manager Logan Ray. “We encounter people who are suicidal. We have people in active domestic violence who call us…We work with documented and undocumented families. We see a very big population of people.”
Rather than simply adding callers to waitlists, the Center provides immediate solutions—connecting people with food banks, clothing resources, shower facilities, diapers, formula and transportation to in-person services when needed.
“There’s a lot more navigation that goes on besides that initial like, ‘Hey, I need to be put on the list,'” Ray said, noting they provide weekly case management to callers.
7. Longview, Washington tiny homes create pathways to recovery
The Longview, Washington, HOPE Village, a 50-unit tiny home community, has helped some 100 formerly “unhouseable” individuals achieve permanent housing since opening in December 2022.
“The premise of the model was to help house these unhouseable people, but really what’s proven to be the biggest impact, I think, is stabilization of that population,” said Longview Temple Corps Officer Major Phil Smith.
The program has evolved to better support recovery—allowing residents exited for drug use to skip the waitlist after completing inpatient treatment. Through partnerships with 19 service organizations, an estimated 75 percent of residents now receive substance use counseling, mental health support or both.
“We’re really proud of those numbers,” said Site Manager Hollie Hillman. “We’re just seeing people really getting their hope back…Just with our staff telling them that every day: ‘You’re worth it. You can do this.'”
8. A Southern California work program builds skills and stability
Since 2017, the Homeless to Work (H2W) program has provided employment opportunities to people experiencing homelessness in Moreno Valley, California. Starting with just 10 participants annually, H2W has expanded to Banning, Beaumont and Cabazon, serving 178 individuals to date, with 50 more this year.
Participants earn income through community beautification projects—planting flowers, maintaining trees, removing graffiti and collecting litter—while gaining workforce experience. Recently, H2W enhanced its impact by adding a Life Skills Program, offering classes in financial literacy, communication, conflict resolution and time management.
“We’re incredibly proud of each individual’s journey and deeply grateful to the dedicated staff, volunteers and community partners who make this work possible,” said Mark Davis, Director of Social Services for The Salvation Army Riverside and Moreno Valley.
With a 78 percent success rate, many participants secure stable employment, housing and healthcare, successfully rebuilding independent lives.
9. Providing life-saving respite from Arizona’s triple-digit heat
When temperatures soar past 100 degrees in Arizona, The Salvation Army opens critical relief centers. In Chandler, up to 80 people—primarily those experiencing homelessness—find daily sanctuary during extended heat waves.
“The majority of those who come are unsheltered,” said Corps Officer Lt. Loren Philpot. “We give them cots to sleep in, as well as the clothes, sunglasses, hats and sunscreen donated by the community. They can get breakfast and lunch if they’re hungry, and take a shower or do their laundry.”
Beyond physical needs, the center provides spiritual support through its chapel and connects visitors with social services for overnight housing and employment opportunities.
“I try to put myself in the position of anyone who comes in,” Philpot said. “I know that if it were me, I would want a friend.”
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