Housing advocates say Wilmington taskforce fails to fully address homeless crisis

Beds with strings attached

Dede said the lack of available beds is helping drive Wilmington’s homeless crisis.

“When shelters don’t have enough beds for the number of people who need them, and even the few beds available require you to be sober or practice a certain faith, many people have no choice but to sleep outside,” she said.

Some shelters and substance use treatment centers are faith based and have rules clients must follow. Kim Eppehimer, CEO of Friendship House, which provides services to the unhoused across the state, said some places don’t accept LGBTQ+ residents or those with a criminal record.

Pyle has also been battling an opioid addiction. She currently has housing through New Life Ministries, a faith-based recovery program. She said she must pay $725 a month fee and attend religious programming. Unable to work, she said she feels pressure to come with the money on top of fines she has received for breaking rules.

“I’m basically trying to determine whether or not I’m just gonna pack and leave,” she said. I’d rather be back on the street. I didn’t have all the stress, I didn’t have all the demands.”

New Life Ministries Bishop Koy Stewart confirmed the $725 client fee participants must pay monthly, but he later said in a text message that charge is only to access their full programming and some clients are admitted before they are able to pay. He denied that clients are fined.