Dayton, Ohio – The City of Dayton has been officially informed that St. Vincent de Paul will no longer operate the Gateway Homeless Shelter for Men, located at 1921 S. Gettysburg Ave., effective June 30, 2025. This announcement has prompted city officials to focus on ensuring a smooth transition to a new service provider while maintaining uninterrupted support for the men who rely on the shelter.
Mayor Expresses Disappointment
Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims, Jr. expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision, emphasizing the city’s commitment to its vulnerable residents. “I am deeply disappointed with St. Vincent de Paul’s decision to no longer operate at the Gateway Homeless Shelter for Men,” he said. “The City will work diligently with all partners to ensure a seamless transition and uninterrupted services for the men who depend on this shelter. Our commitment to supporting vulnerable populations remains steadfast, as ensuring the well-being and stability of our community is our top priority.”
Collaborative Efforts to Prevent Closure
Over the past several months, the City of Dayton collaborated with Montgomery County and St. Vincent de Paul leadership to find potential solutions to prevent this outcome. Neither the city nor the county has reduced funding for shelter operations. From 2016 to 2024, the City of Dayton allocated over $3 million in emergency shelter grants to St. Vincent de Paul, along with an additional $3 million in federal COVID relief funds to address homelessness.
To further support the shelter, the city offered to bring in independent consultants to evaluate the current funding structure and program model to explore alternative solutions. Despite these efforts, St. Vincent de Paul decided to discontinue its operations at the Gateway shelter.
Commitment to Uninterrupted Services
City Manager Shelley Dickstein assured the community that emergency shelter services will remain a priority. “The City of Dayton is unwavering in its commitment to providing emergency shelter services 24/7, 365 days a year,” Dickstein stated. She added that the city is working closely with Montgomery County and the Dayton-Kettering-Montgomery County Continuum of Care to ensure a smooth transition to a new provider.
The Gateway Homeless Shelter for Men is owned by the City of Dayton and leased to County Corp., which subleases the facility to St. Vincent de Paul for operations. The city will initiate an open and competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process to select a new service provider. The goal is to ensure continuity of services for the men who depend on the shelter, with no disruptions during the transition.
Dickstein also confirmed that there will be no changes to services or providers at the Women and Families Shelter, which continues to operate as usual.
A Commitment to Supporting Vulnerable Populations
Dayton officials remain committed to addressing the needs of vulnerable populations and ensuring the stability of emergency shelter services. The city and its partners are determined to minimize the impact of this transition, safeguarding critical resources for the men who rely on the Gateway Homeless Shelter for support.
As the City of Dayton moves forward with selecting a new provider, it reaffirms its dedication to maintaining essential services for its most at-risk residents. The transition plan and RFP process are expected to proceed in the coming months, ensuring the Gateway shelter continues to serve as a vital resource for the community.
