The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners broke ground for the planned Homeless Support Center in a ceremony held Monday afternoon, Feb. 19, at the site located at 344 Hawley Lane. Commissioners were joined by County management and staff, State and local leaders, community partners and other advocates for the County’s homeless population.

The Homeless Support Center will provide much-needed shelter for County residents experiencing homelessness, as well as access to programs and resources that will assist in achieving sustainable housing and life enrichment. The County’s intent is for the facility to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and to provide residents with access to resources well beyond those of a traditional homeless shelter.

“This project has involved nearly every department in Cumberland County and pulled on the expertise of community partners and advocates across the state,” said Chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Glenn Adams in a press release.

Adams thanked the partner organizations who plan to participate in the project, including Fayetteville Technical Community College and Cape Fear Valley Hospital. FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells was in attendance and gave remarks related to FTCC’s partnership on the project. Adams also thanked those who assisted in allowing the Homeless Support Center to be constructed on the selected site, including the Cumberland County Board of Education, which provided a portion of the property that will be used for the site and the Fayetteville City Council, which unanimously approved a rezoning request and special use permit for the property.

Commissioner Vice Chairwoman Dr. Toni Stewart said the groundbreaking ceremony was just the first step in a much larger effort.

“When I was elected to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, I made it known that I was an emphatic supporter of seeking solutions to address homelessness in Cumberland County,” said Stewart during the ceremony. “I have been an advocate for the homeless in our midst and I will continue to push for more resources for this group of people who are often forgotten, misunderstood and marginalized.”

For more information about the Homeless Support Center, visit the County’s website at cumberlancountync.gov.