St. Francis House announced Monday that its downtown shelter and service center would permanently close as the nonprofit homeless provider tries to sell the building.  

A press release said St. Francis House would stop its Day Services Program on Friday. The program provides access to case management services, donations, meals, laundry facilities, client phones and bathrooms. 

St. Francis House will end emergency shelter and cold night shelter at the location by mid-April, the press release said. 

The closure of the nonprofit’s downtown location, bought in 1993, has been foreshadowed for years. St. Francis House Treasurer Al Cockerell told Mainstreet in 2024 that the nonprofit was searching for a buyer to stabilize finances and pivot services.  

As part of its restructuring, the nonprofit sold its 35-unit Sunrise Inn to Alachua County.  

“For many years, St. Francis House has been committed to helping women and families with children experiencing homelessness create new futures,” the press release said. “While these changes are difficult, our mission continues, and we remain dedicated to supporting women and families as they work toward stability and housing.”   

St. Francis House will continue to operate Arbor House, a program helping women and children find a permanent home and stability.  

The press release said the nonprofit is hopeful to open a new location to continue the discontinued services. But a new space remains pending, contingent upon the sale of the downtown center.  

The center has just over 11,000 square feet and sits on an acre of prime real estate. The property fronts South Main Street on the west and SE Fourth Avenue to the north in Gainesville.