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Homelessness Prevention Committee
About
The principal charge of the Homelessness Prevention Committee is to implement the findings and recommendations of the Intergovernmental and Interagency Task Force on Homelessness. Its membership includes representatives from the Gaston-Lincoln-Cleveland Continuum of Care, area nonprofits, members of the faith community, a community representative, County and municipal employees, as well as local experts on housing, education, and healthcare. A roster of current committee members is listed below.
The Committee functions via four subcommittees, and are currently examining policy and practices in order to develop recommendations for the Gaston County Board of Commissioners:
- Zoning and Regulation
- Immediate Essentials
- Nonprofit Capacity and Collaboration
- Wrap-Around Services
| Name | Agency |
|---|---|
| Dr. Gregory Grier (Chair) | Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services, Community Support Services Director |
| Dwayne Burks | Gateway Gaston, Executive Director |
| Aleta Ellison | GEMS, Community Paramedic |
| Kathy Gauger | Catherine's House, Executive Director |
| Vicky Graves | Gaston College, Counselor |
| James Hanks | Gaston County Health Department |
| Robert Kellogg | Continuum of Care & Gastonia City Councilman |
| Mark Lamphiear | Gaston Emergency Medical Service, EMS Chief |
| Gayle Mahl | City of Gastonia Police Department, Homelessness Coordinator |
| Becky McClain | Gaston College, Life Skills Director |
| Charles McGinnis | VFW, Commander, National Guard, Post 9337 |
| Quentin McPhatter | City of Gastonia, Assistant City Manager |
| John Mills | The Salvation Army Center of Hope, Director of Social Services |
| Tara Murrow | United Way, Campaign and Community Impact Manager |
| Anthony Smith | Land Use Officer, Gaston County |
| Sharon Spencer | Vote Riders Volunteer |
| Crystal Walls | Health Net Gaston, Executive Director |
| Danielle Webb | Displaced Roses |
| Tasha White | HELP Carolina, Executive Director |
| Teena Willis | Partner's Behavior Health Management, Housing Manager |
| Emily Winfrey | Gaston County Library, Community Engagement and Outreach Coordinator |
Get Help Now
Contact the Department of Social Services' Economic Services Division to learn about your eligibility for energy assistance, emergency rental assistance, work first family assistance, food and nutrition services, and Medicaid.
If you are currently homeless, contact the Gaston Lincoln Cleveland Continuum of Care to get information about shelter, hygiene, meals, and other essential needs.
For emergency rental assistance, call (704) 862-7901 or visit the DHHS building atrium to pick up an application (330 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Way, Gastonia, NC 28052).
Intergovernmental and Interagency Task Force on Homelessness
To better understand the extent and challenges of homelessness in Gaston County, coordinate with ongoing efforts, and develop action steps to reduce homelessness, the Gaston County Board of Commissioners created the Intergovernmental and Interagency Task Force on Homelessness (the Task Force), which met monthly from May through December of 2021. Commissioner Tracy Philbeck was appointed to Chair the Task Force. The Task Force examined concerns about homelessness in the county and produced a written report that was presented to the Board of Commissioners and the Board of Council of each city and town within the county on January 11, 2022.
In their report, the Task Force recommended three items for immediate action:
- Provide short-term emergency housing assistance for Gaston County resident facing housing insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Task the County Manager to establish a County-wide Homelessness Prevention Committee.
- Pursue long-term public-private partnerships to fund affordable housing development.
All three recommended items are in progress.