Homeless Strategy Last updated or reviewed on April 8, 2026 About Us Community members experience homelessness when they’re unable to afford housing or lack sufficient support and resources during a normal life crisis like a medical emergency, job loss, or loss of a family member. Homelessness experienced for long periods of time often results in extreme trauma and physical and behavioral health crises, and the effects of homelessness can also negatively impact people with housing across the community. Whether we’re experiencing homelessness, frustrated by what’s happening around our businesses or in our neighborhoods, or seeking to advocate and take action, we all want the same outcome: for all Asheville residents to have housing, safety, and stability, fostering a community where all of us can thrive. The City of Asheville responds to homelessness through: Participating in the Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care, the local collaborative planning body with responsibility for homelessness response. The Continuum of Care is governed by a leadership board that includes City Manager DK Wesley and Mayor Manheimer and is staffed by the City’s Homeless Strategy Division. Providing resources to homeless service providers, including annual funding for street outreach, coordinated entry, and cold weather emergency shelter called Code Purple and capital funding for key housing and shelter projects. Operational response to mitigate the effects of homelessness, including the Asheville Fire Department’s Resource Engagement Support Team (AFD-REST) program, which reimagines public safety response to homelessness. AFD-REST proactively engages with both concerned residents and people experiencing homelessness to problem solve and connect people to resources. About the Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care The Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care (CoC) is a local planning body that leads homelessness response in our community, and both City management and City Council have dedicated seats on its Board to work alongside service providers and other stakeholders to help shape strategy and expand capacity to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness. As a community-based collaborative planning body, the CoC designates a Lead Agency to provide backbone administrative and strategic support. The Asheville-Buncombe CoC has designated the City as its Lead Agency, and the Homeless Strategy Division fulfills those responsibilities through staffing the CoC’s Board, Membership, Committees, and Work Groups. The Homeless Strategy Division is also designated to manage the CoC’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to help service providers collect data to inform the CoC’s evaluation of what’s working and what needs to be improved for better community outcomes. The CoC is a membership body open to any community member with an interest in understanding homelessness and taking action to address it. CoCs are self-governing, and members have adopted a governance charter, approve any governance changes, elect a Board, and can be appointed by the Board to serve on committees and work groups. To learn more, visit the Asheville-Buncombe CoC’s website. Homeless Strategy Division Staff Staff Name Title Email Emily Ball Homeless Strategy Division Manager eball@ashevillenc.gov Debbie Alford Training and Development Specialist dalford2@ashevillenc.gov Charles Young Data and Compliance Specialist cyoung@ashevillenc.gov Sydney Monshaw Homeless Strategy Specialist smonshaw@ashevillenc.gov Sarah Dickerson Right at Home Project Manager sdickerson@ashevillenc.gov For general information or questions, email homelessstrategy@ashevillenc.gov or call (828) 747-8168.
