“Why do those who do the most for those who have the least always have to fight so hard?"

Nationally recognized homelessness advocate, documentarian, and author Diane Nilan spoke these words and they have never been more true than they are today. Hospitality House is facing unprecedented pressure and pushback from Federal, State, and Local lawmakers. This blog post speaks directly to the Watauga County Commissioners.

Despite a recommendation of $10,000 from the county manager, the Watauga County Commissioners stripped all funding from Hospitality House. With an $88 million dollar budget, they decided to completely end their support for families and individuals experiencing homelessness in Watauga County. They took money away from their most vulnerable and needy neighbors. We appealed nicely but they didn't listen, they just attacked and distorted.

They did NOT listen when we said:

"2024 was a record year, we successfully moved 247 people out of homelessness. But I don't hear that as a number, I hear it as people whose lives we have changed."

They did NOT listen when we said:

"33% of those are aged 55 to 83 years old and it is their first time experiencing homelessness. This $10,000 will go towards a growing population that's being underserved and underfunded."

They did NOT listen when we said:

"Our calling was, and still is, based on scripture. I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

They did NOT listen when we said:

"After Hurricane Helene, meals served out of our Community Kitchen went from 15,500 per month to almost 18,000. And that number remains steady today."

We need your help to show the Watauga County Commissioners that we do NOT have “a failure of leadership,” that we ARE helping “the real homeless,” (whatever that means) and that people and families experiencing homelessness in Watauga County deserve dignity, respect, and solutions.