Hands Across Decatur considers closing after city denies funding again

DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — Last week, the Decatur City Council approved a $101.4 million budget for fiscal year 2025.

But once again, the applications for appropriations from outreach organizations that work with homeless people in the city have been denied.

"Because they don't think that the taxpayers should help the homeless and that's coming right from the mayor himself,” said Sue Terrell, Executive Director of Hands Across Decatur (HAD).

Terrell has been pleading with city officials for funding for nearly a decade. She says that the homeless population has increased each year since she opened the doors in 2012.

Earlier this year, the city of Huntsville awarded a $5,000 grant to Hands Across Decatur, but the organization has not received support from the city it calls home.

Terrell app