Is the Salvation Army using the misappropriated money properly? We looked at it.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Salvation Army helps people in need of safe, permanent housing.

After serious allegations were made against them at a city meeting, the Salvation Army is now clarifying how they use the money granted to them by the city.

At the last meeting of Metro Council’s Public Health and Safety Committee, council members were told that the Salvation Army was not properly using the funds given to them.

“We gave the Salvation Army $2 million to cover housing shortages, but now the Salvation Army refuses to use that money for this purpose? “Is that a correct understanding?” asked Councilman Russ Bradford.

“That’s my understanding,” said Allison Canty with the Office of Homeless Services in Metro Nashville.

Committee members were told that $1.9 million given to the Salvation Army was intended to help homeless people living at the Rodeway Inn on Wallace Road. People who are displaced if the encampments are closed by the city will be able to live on the motel property.

We found out that the Salvation Army receives this money, but according to the organization’s Bill Mockabee, they have not agreed to use it to operate worship services at the Rodeway Inn.

We have looked at the documents, including the contract, and the Salvation Army is correct.

“So the money we received through the capacity building grant is specifically included in the grant – which was written for our LifNav program and is not intended to keep gap shelters operational,” said Maj. Bill Mockabee.

The Salvation Army said the allegations at the meeting surprised them.

Interestingly, they are running the Rodeway Inn through the end of the month. They receive money from the city for this. This contract expires on October 31st and there are currently no plans to extend it.

The Salvation Army insists it did nothing wrong and provided services paid for by the city.

They say they have not yet spent any of the $1.9 million awarded in June as they retool their LifNav program. The funding must be used by the end of 2025.

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