New Philadelphia is in desperate need of a new homeless shelter for Friends of the Homeless. The hundred-year-old building they lease from the First Presbyterian Church in downtown New Philadelphia is deteriorating. The rooms are small, the building is inaccessible to people with disabilities, and parts for their antiquated boiler system are near impossible to find.

Our current proposal is a 3.7 acre site that is located at the intersection of E. High Ave and Reiser Avenue, the location of the former Twilight drive-in, that we would like to be the new location for the homeless shelter. 

The city has thrown up many roadblocks in our endeavor to build a new shelter. We need you to sign this petition to let them know that many residents of our area stand behind our shelter. We also need you to attend our City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, December 12th in Council Chambers. They will be discussing rezoning the proposed location so it can be utilized as homeless shelter. We need a strong showing of community support! 

Here are some important facts about the project and the shelter.....

1. No tax dollars or levies will be used to fund this project. The 3-5 million dollar capital campaign will be funded by private donations and grants. 
2. We are not asking the city for money. We are simply asking that our organization be allowed to continue in New Philadelphia at a new location. 
3.  80 % of residents at the shelter are residents of Tuscarawas County. 
4.  As of October 2022, 11 of the 36 residents at the shelter are children. Children are often residents of the shelter.
5. All people who live at the shelter are given a background check. There are no sex predators living there. We welcome victims of abuse. 
6.  Friends of the Homeless provided over 175,000 free bed nights and over 500,000 meals to community members in need since they opened in 2005. 
7. 64 local churches, non-profits, and community organizations support Friends of the Homeless. We are blessed with many faithful volunteers!
8.  According to the FBI bureau of statistics, there was a 20 % decrease in violent crime and 12 % decrease in property damage in the area around the  shelter since it started serving our community in 2005.

Donations for the House of Hope campaign can be sent here: 

Friends of the Homeless

RE: House of Hope Campaign 

P.O Box 466 New Philadelphia, OH 44663 

Thank you for your generosity and support!