The Servant Center Greensboro | Housing & Veteran Services

The Servant Center began as an Episcopal Servant Leadership Project with church volunteers working with those experiencing homelessness to apply for SSI/SSDI benefits.

Since that time, The Servant Center has grown organically and has stepped in to meet numerous gaps in service.  In 1993 The Servant Center became a 501(c) 3 and began operating under a Social Security Administration grant.

While working with those on the street experiencing homelessness, with disabilities, it was alarmingly clear that many of those persons were veterans and needed more services than could be provided by a traditional shelter.  So, in 1999 the organization opened Servant House, the first transitional housing program in Greensboro.

We are still the only transitional program in the area that exclusively serves those with disabilities and prioritizes veteran.

The Center spent much of its early history assisting low-income and disabled persons to apply for SSI/SSDI benefits and in 1997 contracted with Cone Health Systems to continue helping their under and un-insured patients, establishing its Disability Assistance Program.

The Servant Center often had difficulty finding appropriate housing for its graduates of Servant House.  Therefore, The Servant Center has constructed two permanent supportive housing complexes.  These complexes offer 17 apartments along with supportive services.  In 2005 the Center became involved in coordinating the first Triad Stand Down, a one-day event of comprehensive services for veterans experiencing homelessness from the region.

In 2019 The Servant Center started Fast Track, a Rapid Rehousing program that combines housing-focused case management and temporary financial assistance to help individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness to reach housing stability.

In 2021 The Servant Center partnered with Greensboro Housing Authority to provide case management for 11 veteran families living at their Foxworth apartments.

In 2026 The Servant Center will start our community’s only Medical Respite program, serving individuals experiencing homelessness who are in the hospital and are ready to be discharged, but need a safe place to heal from their illness or injury.

Homelessness negatively impacts all aspects of wellness – physical, emotional/mental, social, intellectual, spiritual, occupational, financial, etc.  We understand that housing alone can improve a person or family’s overall wellness.

Case Management is the key to addressing the areas of wellness that have the most impact on a client/resident’s ability to achieve housing stability.  We do that by setting goals and strategies to address those obstacles.

 BJ was homeless for more than 6 months due to health issues from his HIV.  He had been bouncing back and forth from living in his car to living at the Weaver House shelter.    Through the Coordinated Entry process BJ was referred to the Fast Track Rapid Rehousing program.  The Housing Specialist was able to house him in 30 days in a one-bedroom apartment.  Within a month of being housed he got a job; was connected to Triad Health Care for medical services and was able to reconnect with his son.  Despite these positive outcomes, BJ did not like to smile.  He had significant dental disease and was embarrassed to show his teeth.  During this time, we continued to provide financial support and would bring him groceries each month so he could get the dental work needed to fix his smile.  Dora, the Housing Specialist went to do a home visit one day and he said to her “you gave me my smile back” and took off his mask and gave her a big smile.  BJ was awarded a housing voucher and is now paying his own bills, working, has visitation rights with his son and reports to be very happy.

The Triad Stand Down is a one-day event providing comprehensive services to homeless veterans from the region.  More than 40 service providers show up providing dental and medical care, mental health and substance abuse services, housing, employment, haircuts, etc.  It is scheduled for 9-11-2026.  We also have volunteer days – typically the 1st Friday and 3rd Saturday of each month.  You can check out our website and Facebook for links to sign up.

Our clients come to us directly from the VA (Servant House), Cone Health (DAP) or through the Guilford County Coordinated Entry Process (Rapid Rehousing).  Coordinated Entry is a process by which those who are experiencing homelessness are accessed and added to a by-name list.  Each week the permanent housing programs from the community meet and clients are picked up off the list from the top down (those with the highest needs are at the top of the list).

 2024-2025 Outcomes: