Hospitality Hub asks Shelby County for $2.5 million to expand homelessness services

Kelsey Johnson, executive director of the Hospitality Hub, told the Shelby County Budget & Finance subcommittee that homelessness "is not a downtown problem" and described services that reach neighborhoods across the county. Johnson said the Hub served 5,213 unique guests in the past year, sheltered 339 women and more than 74 children in Hub hotels, and identified 2,690 children ages 5–18 who reported having nowhere consistent to sleep.

"We're asking that you pass this funding of $2,500,000 so that we continue to do this work, not just downtown because it serves the entire county," Johnson said. She described trauma‑informed design features learned from model sites such as Lotus House in Miami and the Hub's hub‑studio program, including family‑sized 630‑square‑foot units to be built at the Manassas campus.

Supporters on the record included former clients and Hub staff. Andrea Carey, who identified herself as a former resident, said: "The Hub saves so many lives" and urged commissioners to find a way to provide the requested funding. Jamie Naylor, a two‑year Hub employee, told the committee, "We need your partnership. We need your support. The community needs it."

Several commissioners praised the Hub's model and urged colleagues to take a site tour before budget decisions. The presentation and questions focused on the program's outcomes (state IDs, employment, permanent housing) and operating model — the Hub stated it does not impose strict time limits on stays for clients who "continue to work on your case." The committee did not take a vote and referred budget items to subcommittee for further consideration.

The Hub's request, the commissioners' follow‑up questions and public testimony will be part of subcommittee budget deliberations ahead of the FY26 vote.