No Halo News · Sourced development
Living Hope ILM withdrew its planned Wilmington shelter purchase after community and zoning concerns
Port City Daily reported that Living Hope ILM halted plans to acquire a building at 10th and Dock streets as a permanent home for its low-barrier day shelter. Chief executive Tony Perez cited concerns raised by neighbors, questions about whether clients would be treated with dignity and respect, and proposed city land-use changes that could restrict shelter locations. The nonprofit said it would continue searching for another permanent site.
Status matters. This page records a sourced development, not a completed No Halo investigation. An allegation is not a finding. Dismissals, settlements, judgments, corrections and final outcomes remain distinct.
Donor relevance
Why this matters
Abandoning the purchase delays a permanent facility for a day shelter that provides meals, restrooms, computer access, resource navigation and other support to people experiencing homelessness. The decision also leaves unresolved how approximately $359,845 raised for the proposed property will ultimately be used.
Attribution
Who reported or established this
Port City Daily reported the withdrawal and quoted a public statement from Living Hope chief executive Tony Perez. Community and school-safety concerns were attributed to area residents and the New Hanover County Schools superintendent.
Evidence limits
What remains unverified
No Halo has not established whether the proposed site posed a safety risk, when Living Hope will secure another location, whether current services will continue without interruption or how all restricted and unrestricted donations for the abandoned project will be handled.
Right of reply
Organization response
Perez said neighborhood feedback was not the sole reason for withdrawing but prompted the organization to reconsider the environment offered to clients. He said Living Hope remains committed to finding a permanent home and was contacting major donors; those contacted at the time of reporting had asked the nonprofit to retain their contributions.
Classification
How No Halo records this event
Event type: Operational Contraction. Current state: Pending. No Halo preserves the current procedural state rather than treating every mention as a finding.
Published October 1, 2026 · Last verified October 4, 2026. See an error or a later outcome? Submit a correction or right of reply.