Augusta, GA
New Salvation Army shelter could be coming to Augusta, but some worry
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Salvation Army made an important announcement about a new shelter coming to Augusta.
Major Jonathan Raymer says they average 14 kids a night, so they have to shift how they address homelessness in the community.
Raymer says he believes the need has gone beyond the current facility on Greene Street.
“My vision for the shelter, similar to here, is a built-in ministry of dignity for those who are experiencing homelessness,” he said.
SEE THE ANNOUNCEMENT:
People experiencing homelessness come to the Center of Hope for one thing — hope.
“Most of them, if not all of them, want stability in their life,” said Raymer.
But while the Salvation Army wants to continue to help the community, some people worry about the location of the new facility.
“It’s tough in the community, you know, every community has rough, rough spots. I’m not saying that this is a rough spot, we have work to do, just like everybody else, all the other communities they have work to do,” said Lucius Robinson, who lives in the area.
The new shelter is planned for 303 Hale Street, across from the fairgrounds and down the street from an elementary school.
While locals want them to get the help they need, they worry about what comes with it.
Mario Windley, who lives nearby, said: “Now you’re going to open up another shelter, now they got a place to sleep. But what about, you know, a food bank nearby? What about medical? What about a place that, you know, if some of them are addicted to, you know, prescribed medicines, what are we doing here? What about counseling, just because they’re homeless, that shouldn’t be their last place.”
More than half of those inside are women and children. The center can only hold up to 120 at a time, and that depends on how many families are inside.
But the number may soon grow.
“We believe this is the next step of what the community needs,” said Raymer. “The need has gone beyond what we can do in this facility.”
The new shelter is also closer to community resources.
“We partner with over 20 nonprofits in the area,” he said. “A lot of them are actually over in the area we’re looking to move to.”
But some say it’s already an underserved community.
Windley said: “We are moving in people here that may or may not be embedded as far as criminal background, will the crime rate rise? You know, what about the local medical facilities here, would they be flooded with to a point where they can’t even take care of their normal clients? So those are my concerns for the community.”
The goal is to make the community better but some still question the best way to get there.
“We got kids that are in our program, that walk around here. We want to protect them,” he said.
The design for the new shelter will have wings for men, women, families and potentially veterans.
There is no set date for breaking ground just yet. The Salvation Army is currently working with the surrounding community on Hale Street for more input.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
TikToker cleans father’s hoarded house – and goes viral
Madison Lovelle posts videos online while going through and cleaning her childhood home after her father died.
Housing costs are often the biggest Georgians deal with every month, so it’s important to try and save money where possible.
Last week, WalletHub released its ranking of the most affordable cities to buy a home. It analyzed 300 cities based on 10 metrics, with the biggest weight going to housing affordability and cost per square foot.
Best city to buy a home in Georgia?
Augusta ranked the highest among Georgia cities, ranking 8th overall and 3rd best in the midsized cities list.
Augusta real estate prices
According to Zillow, as of March, the median list price for a house in Georgia is $205,000 with a median sale price of $187,283. About 57% of sales are under the list price.
The average rent, as of April, is $1,365 per month.
Augusta cost of living
The MIT Living Wage Calculator reports the hourly pay needed to support yourself and/or your family, assuming full-time employment. For Richmond County (Augusta), it’s $20.31 for one adult, $28.16 for a two-adult household with one working, and $14.08 for a two-adult household with both working.
Children obviously increase the wage needed. Depending on how many adults are working, the necessary pay figures may increase by up to $13 for just one child, with more needed for additional children.
Worst city to buy a home in Georgia?
The Georgia city with the lowest ranking on the list overall was Sandy Springs. However, with 300 cities, landing at No. 151 doesn’t make it nearly the worst in the nation. Sandy Springs was No. 56 on the small cities list.
What are the best cities to buy a home in US?
- Flint, MI
- Detroit, MI
- Surprise, AZ
- Yuma, AZ
- Akron, OH
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Memphis, TN
- Augusta, GA
- Indianapolis, IN
- Cleveland, OH
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Senate candidate Derek Dooley made several visits to the area on Friday.
Dooley had stops in both Lincolnton and Augusta on May 29 and was joined by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for his “Georgia First” tour. He spoke about one of the issues he finds in politics.
“But the other piece of it is the corruption. People sit on these committees. They have access to information that none of us have. And then you look up 2 or 3 years down the road and their wealth is just skyrocketing,” Dooley said. “You’re outperforming every investor out there. And I think it’s shameful. I think it erodes trust. It’s something that I will never do.”
“Politicians were out there getting paid. They were coming back home. They’re raising money and campaigning while the government shut down,” Kemp said. “What Derek’s saying, if he’s up there, we’re not going to allow legislators to get paid. We’re going to take away their benefits. That way, you won’t ever have another shutdown again.”
Dooley is facing Congressman Mike Collins in a runoff for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.
The winner of the Republican nomination will face incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.
Photojournalist credit: Regynal McKie
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A man has been arrested after he was accused of hitting two women at Piedmont Hospital in Augusta.
The incident happened on May 14 around 12 a.m.
According to arrest warrants, Bruce Bland struck one victim with a closed hand several times in the face. Bland also threw a garbage can at the victim, hitting her in the head.
The warrant states the victim suffered a bruise on her face.
Bland also hit another victim with a closed hand on her mouth, according to the warrants. She suffered swelling and a bruise on her mouth.
Bland is charged with battery and simple battery, according to the warrants. Both charges are misdemeanors.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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