Warner Robins Council transfers funds to Haven Hope House, explains donation process

WARNER ROBINS — Haven Hope House, Warner Robins’ homeless shelter, is one step closer to full operation after funding was transferred to the shelter’s operating partner.

Warner Robins City Council approved the transfer at their latest meeting on April 20. 

The total amount, around $60,000, was given to The Assembly at Warner Robins, a local church and the shelter’s contracted operator.

City Administrator James Drinkard said donations have come to the city over time from organizations and private citizens to support the shelter.

Responding to a question from Councilman Charlie Bibb, Drinkard said interested donors can now give directly to the church.

“We recognize that some folks may not be comfortable making the donation to the church itself, even though they’re designating the funds directly for the benefit of Haven Hope House,” Drinkard said.

To remedy this, the city and church are discussing creating a non-profit specific to the shelter that donors can give to, cutting out the middleman.

“We’ll continue to accept donations while that is ongoing, but we have already begun encouraging people to make their donations to The Assembly, so we are increasingly out of that business,” Drinkard said.

In the meantime, Drinkard said future shelter-supporting donations to the city will be periodically transferred to The Assembly as needed.

The ribbon was cut on Haven Hope House in October 2025. Since then, the shelter has run intermittently as a warming center and outreach center.