Trust House for those without homes in Roanoke closes January 31

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Trust House in Roanoke, a residential facility for “unhoused individuals, families, and veterans,” will close January 31, according to parent company ARCH Services.

ARCH’s board of directors in Roanoke voted to suspend services at Trust House, saying the decision came “after months of efforts—ultimately unsuccessful—by the board to make the organization sustainable.”

Employees and residents were informed last week about the closure, according to the board, saying the closure is a result of the staffing and financial struggles many companies and non-profits have faced since the pandemic.

“It is with the most profound regret that the board came to this decision,” said Tommy Oliver, Treasurer of the ARCH Services board. “Trust House has served our clients well for many decades. We had hoped to find a sustainable path forward, but unfortunately, we could not.”

Oliver said, “We are coordinating with the Veteran’s Administration, the City of Roanoke, The Rescue Mission, the Council of Community Services and other community partners to ensure our existing clients are transitioned in an orderly fashion to other facilities.” Participants in ARCH’s Permanent Supportive Housing programs are being transitioned into services with other community partners, as well.

Residents WDBJ7 spoke with said it’s been a struggle trying to find a new place to live.

“It was okay when they told us, I understand things happen, but it’s all of the sudden we’re abandoned. My case worker left, she’s not coming back ‘til the end of the month. They just kinda left us on our own forces and it’s, it’s rough,” said Yvonne Irvin, a Trust House resident.

“They were like, well, you better figure out what you’re going to do because come the 31st, everybody’s out,” said Raeann Dale, another Trust House resident.

Trust House was founded in 1970 as a crisis hotline and emergency shelter by a group of then-Hollins College students, faculty and staff, according to Olive. Located in Old Southwest Roanoke, Trust House evolved into a 29-bed shelter.

Residents hope they can get the support they need before time runs out.

“We’re not looking exactly for a handout, it’s just a hand up. We need assistance. We need some type of guidance that’s going to help us get the things that we need,” said Dale.

Copyright 2023 WDBJ. All rights reserved.