Community communication

A message to our community: Regarding removal of homeless camp

  On Feb. 1, a homeless camp under an I-240 bridge in the City limits was removed. The action did not align with the City of Asheville’s typical practice in handling homeless camps. The City Manager’s Office met with Division 13 North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) staff Feb. 2 to fully understand what occurred and [...]

Community communication

A message to our community: Regarding the I-240 homeless camp

    There has been much discussion over the past few weeks about the tent encampment that has grown near the NCDOT property located on Haywood Street near I-240. As the camp has grown, so have the concerns over public safety and public health. We have received numerous complaints of open drug use, theft, and sexual assault at [...]

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An update on how the City of Asheville is addressing homelessness

    Homelessness in Asheville has long been a serious and complex issue. The COVID-19 pandemic has both highlighted and heightened this reality. While the homeless service system we’ve had in Asheville has ended homelessness for a small number of people annually, it’s never had the resources to operate at a scale that will make homelessness truly [...]

homelessness

Asheville 2021 Point-in-Time count of people experiencing homelessness tabulated

    The City of Asheville’s 2021 Point-in-Time count was conducted on January 27, 2021, and the results have been submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The 2021 Point-in-Time count identified 527 people experiencing homelessness in our community, which is a slight decrease from the 2020 count of 547.     Overall the data are consistent [...]

Days inn

Asheville City Council votes to allocate $2 million toward Homeward Bound’s purchase of Days Inn for permanent supportive housing 

  In a continuing effort to partner with local agencies to mitigate the impacts of homelessness in our community the City of Asheville will help fund Homeward Bound’s acquisition of the Days Inn on Tunnel Road for permanent supportive housing for our homeless population.   At their July 27 meeting, Asheville City Council approved a [...]

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Asheville Code Purple extended into February

    With overnight temperatures persisting in the 20s and teens this week, the Homeless Coalition has extended its Code Purple for Asheville and Buncombe County nightly Feb. 1-4. Here is a look at the Asheville weather forecast.   Please encourage people to seek safe shelter from the cold. The CODE PURPLE effort stems from the collaborative work of the Homeless [...]

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Asheville Code Purple issued as arctic air returns

  With snow in the Asheville weather forecast and overnight temperatures in the teens, 20s and 30s this week, the Homeless Coalition has extended its Code Purple for Asheville and Buncombe County nightly through Jan. 19.   Encourage those who don’t have a place to stay to seek warmth at local shelters. Shelters will be open [...]

Asheville shelters continue CODE PURPLE activation, provide emergency cold weather services

ASHEVILLE — In response to the severe cold weather, Asheville area shelters are offering emergency cold weather services to people who are currently experiencing homelessness and would not otherwise have a safe, warm place to stay. To minimize risk to people in Asheville and Buncombe County, when the temperature falls below 32 degrees (or the equivalent [...]

homelessness

Asheville-Buncombe 2018 Point-In-Time homeless count results tabulated

  As part of the nationwide 2018 Point-in-Time (PIT) count, the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Initiative conducted a one-night count of homeless individuals and families on Jan. 31, 2018. With the help of local service providers, emergency shelters, housing programs and street count volunteers, the community has collected additional data indicating the continued need for safe and affordable housing [...]

Homeless man

Asheville-Buncombe 2020 Point-in-Time (PIT) count complete, homelessness down 6%

  As part of the nationwide 2020 Point-in-Time (PIT) count, the Asheville-Buncombe County Homeless Initiative has completed its report of the community’s one-night count of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The final report was submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) on May 15. Asheville’s count was conducted in the afternoon and evening [...]

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Asheville’s extreme cold prompts Cold Purple alert

Along with a forecast of snow, Asheville will experience below normal temperatures the next few days, with lows tonight in the 20s and Friday night in the teens. By Sunday lows are forecast to fall to single digits, prompting the Homeless Coalition to issue a Code Purple alert through Jan. 9. The CODE PURPLE effort stems [...]

Asheville Riverbend Park sign

City of Asheville offers people at Riverbend Park encampment relocation to hotel

  In advance of the deadline to those illegally camping at Riverbend Park, the City of Asheville worked in partnership with Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness the evening of April 19 to relocate unsheltered people at the encampment to temporary housing at a local hotel.   Using federal funds anticipated from the American Rescue Plan, the City [...]

Homeless man

City of Asheville partners with County on Homelessness Action Plan

The City of Asheville, in partnership with Buncombe County, today released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to hire a consultant to develop an actionable plan to address unsheltered homelessness in Asheville and Buncombe County.

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City of Asheville provides temporary housing to people on Duke property encampment

    Working with community partners, the City of Asheville today provided 15 rooms for unsheltered people relocated from Duke Energy property near Isaac Dickson Elementary School. Those partners include Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness, Homeward Bound and BeLoved, who did outreach to people in this encampment, helped them pack their belongings and transported them to [...]

City of Asheville releases Point-In-Time homeless count

As part of the nationwide 2017 Point-in-Time (PIT) count, the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Initiative conducted a one-night count of homeless individuals and families on Wednesday, January 25, 2017.  With the help of local service providers, emergency shelters, housing programs and street count volunteers, the community has collected critical data to support the continued need for safe [...]

Photo of homeless man in cold

City of Asheville shares Code Purple network resources

    As temperatures begin to drop we want to make sure people know where to go when frigid weather strikes. If you or someone you know needs shelter, the following sites are available when the Asheville-Buncombe CODE PURPLE is in effect.   Code Purple is a voluntary effort among private sector shelter providers, coordinated by the

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City of Asheville shares Code Purple resources

  Beginning today, Code Purple emergency shelter is available to people experiencing homelessness when the temperature is at or below 32 degrees.     Code Purple is a long-standing community initiative to create additional shelter capacity on freezing nights to ensure survival.     There are two participating shelters this year: Asheville-Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM) will be providing Code Purple beds [...]

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City of Asheville shares resources for people experiencing homelessness during Code Purple

  With temperatures going down into the 20s this week, the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition has called a Code Purple for people who need shelter. Starting Dec. 1, shelter will be available at First Congregational UCC, 20 Oak St., for about 30 men and up to 20 women and children. This is in partnership with Western Carolina Rescue [...]

homelessness

City of Asheville staff presents to Council on Point-in-Time Count, Homelessness Consultant and decreased crime rates near AHOPE

Asheville City Council, on May 10, were given an update on many areas impacting  homelessness in our community.  Among the areas  addressed by the Community and Economic Development team were results of the 2022 Point-in-Time count, a resolution adopted by Council to accept funding for a Homelessness Services consultant, and updates to a decreased [...]

Photo of homeless woman with outreach coordinator

City of Asheville to fund focused homeless street outreach effort

  Partnering with Homeward Bound, the City of Asheville will fund a full-time position to provide assertive street outreach for homeless populations not currently being served.   At their Sept. 24 meeting, City Council allocated $150,000 in the adopted Fiscal Year 2019-20 budget to Homeward Bound for homeless street outreach services. This will be used to [...]

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City of Asheville transitions emergency homeless shelter to motel, continues agreements with partner agencies

  The City of Asheville, Buncombe County, Homeward Bound and numerous community partners organized a resource for individuals without homes at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville on April 8. As the City of Asheville’s 30-day agreement with Homeward Bound to manage an emergency homeless shelter at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville has expired, staff and community partners [...]

homelessness

City seeks input on potential use of HOME-ARP funding to address homelessness

  The City of Asheville, as the Participating Jurisdiction for the four-county Asheville Regional Housing Consortium is seeking public input to inform and prioritize use of a one-time $4.7 million allocation of HOME Investment Partnerships Program funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding, known as “HOME-ARP,” is [...]

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Code Purple extended as icy weather is expected

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory. Because of that, the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition has extended its CODE PURPLE overnight through Nov. 15-16. The purpose of the CODE PURPLE procedure is to provide a coordinated effort among Asheville and Buncombe County, North Carolina shelters and other organizations to provide emergency [...]

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Code Purple issued as frigid temps move in at the Thanksgiving holiday

  With the Asheville weather forecast of overnight temperatures in the upper 20s and low 30s the next few days, the Homeless Coalition has issued a Code Purple for Asheville and Buncombe County for tonight, Nov. 22, and Thanksgiving, Nov. 23.   Please encourage people to seek safe shelter from the cold. The CODE PURPLE effort stems from the [...]

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Code Purple issued for holiday week

With temperatures expected to be below freezing overnight the next few days, the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition issued its CODE PURPLE overnight through Nov. 20-22. And yes, that includes Thanksgiving Day. The purpose of the CODE PURPLE procedure is to provide a coordinated effort among Asheville and Buncombe County, North Carolina shelters and other organizations to provide [...]

homelessness

Community invited to hear recommendations for addressing unsheltered homelessness at January 25 meeting

The National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) has concluded their study of unsheltered homelessness in the Asheville area. Based on needs identified through stakeholder interviews, surveys and data collection conducted in summer 2022, the NAEH has drafted recommendations which will be presented to the community during  a joint meeting of Asheville City Council and the [...]

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Community invited to provide input on potential use of HOME-ARP funding to address homelessness

The City of Asheville, as the Participating Jurisdiction for the four-county Asheville Regional Housing Consortium, is seeking public input to inform and prioritize use of a one-time $4.7 million allocation of HOME Investment Partnerships Program funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding, known as “HOME-ARP,” is [...]

code purple funding

Dogwood Health Trust donation designated to help Asheville’s homeless community  

  The City of Asheville will use funding support from Dogwood Health Trust to support people experiencing homelessness. At their Feb. 23 meeting, City Council voted to add the $50,000 donation for Code Purple shelter funding. Code Purple is a longstanding practice where homeless shelter providers exceed regular capacity and waive regular rules on nights when the [...]

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Emergency shelter initiative continues, Ramada Inn vote delayed

  The City of Asheville continues to work toward establishing a high access emergency shelter to alleviate homelessness in our city. This is a complex project with many moving pieces and stakeholder participation along the way.   While we had anticipated that City Council would vote to purchase the Ramada Inn at 148 River Ford Parkway during their [...]

Harrahs Cherokee Center Asheville graphic

Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville opens doors to support the community during pandemic

    The City of Asheville and Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville announced this month the launch of multiple efforts to provide support to citizens of Asheville and Buncombe County.  Although all events have been cancelled or postponed until June 5, the venue has opened its doors to provide a home for multiple COVID-19 support initiatives, including [...]

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Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville opens as a shelter during public health emergency

  In a coordinated effort, the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, Homeward Bound and numerous community partners organized a resource for individuals without homes at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville.    The coronavirus outbreak represents a significant health risk for people experiencing homelessness. People living unsheltered are also far more likely to have chronic health conditions, one of the [...]

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Homeless Coalition calls for Code Purple

With temperatures expected to be below freezing overnight the next few days, the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition issued its CODE PURPLE overnight through Nov. 26-28. The purpose of the CODE PURPLE procedure is to provide a coordinated effort among Asheville and Buncombe County, North Carolina shelters and other organizations to provide emergency overflow shelter to people experiencing [...]

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Homeless Coalition issues Code Purple as frigid temps arrive

With temperatures expected to be below freezing overnight much of this week, the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition issued its CODE PURPLE overnight through Dec. 8 and will likely extend it further in the week due to impending winter weather. The purpose of the CODE PURPLE procedure is to provide a coordinated effort among Asheville and Buncombe County, [...]

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Homeless Coalition issues Code Purple for Asheville

With the Asheville weather forecast of overnight temperatures in the teens and 20s the next few days, the Homeless Coalition has issued a Code Purple or Asheville and Buncombe County for Dec. 14-16.   The CODE PURPLE effort stems from the collaborative work of the Homeless Coalition, which is a collective of agencies, faith groups, and individuals experiencing [...]

Code Purple logo

Homeless Coalition issues Code Purple for Asheville

With the Asheville weather forecast of overnight temperatures in the 20s the next few days, the Homeless Coalition has issued a Code Purple for Asheville and Buncombe County for Jan. 26-30.   The CODE PURPLE effort stems from the collaborative work of the Homeless Coalition, which is a collective of agencies, faith groups, and individuals experiencing [...]

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Homeless Coalition issues Code Purple for Asheville

With the Asheville weather forecast of overnight temperatures in the 30s the next few days, the Homeless Coalition has issued a Code Purple for Asheville and Buncombe County for April 6-7.   The CODE PURPLE effort stems from the collaborative work of the Homeless Coalition, which is a collective of agencies, faith groups, and individuals experiencing [...]

Homeless Initiative partnerships help get people into homes

Recently reported numbers show that, in 2010, 65 people experiencing homelessness in Buncombe County were placed in, or were in the application process for, permanent housing, reports Amy Sawyer, coordinator of the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Initiative. That, Sawyer says, represents successful progress in advancing the Homeless Initiative and the 10-year Plan to End Homelessness endorsed in [...]

HHelping hand homelessnes

Homelessness: How our whole community wins when we invest in ending homelessness

  Read Part 1 and Part 2 of our series on homelessness solutions in Asheville.   Homelessness issues in Asheville are long-standing and complex. Right now, the City of Asheville has an unprecedented level of resources available to help end chronic homelessness and build the homeless service system we need to best [...]

Interfaith service set to honor Asheville’s homeless who have died

  An interfaith memorial service to honor Asheville’s homeless and formerly homeless citizens who died in 2018 is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Dec. 19 at Haywood Street Congregation, 297 Haywood St. The Haywood Street Congregation provides several ministries to those experiencing homelessness, including twice-weekly meals and worship services and a medical respite care program. The Rev. [...]

Interim City Manager updates community regarding West Asheville notices of violation

Update to the community from Interim City Manager Cathy Ball:   We wanted to provide an update on the Notice of Violation to Firestorm and Steady Collective. After careful review of the information, the determination that the syringe exchange program is most similar to a “shelter” as defined by the UDO stands and will not be revoked. As [...]

Point-in-time count shows decrease in homelessness in Asheville-Buncombe

Access to affordable housing remains a challenge   On Jan. 27, 2016, the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Initiative conducted the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count of homeless families and individuals. Overall numbers of those experiencing homelessness in our community have decreased since last year: 509 persons reported in January 2016 as compared to 562 persons in January 2015, which represents a [...]

city staff join representatives from Step UP Shangri-La and home depot to breakground

The City of Asheville congratulates Shangri-La Industries and Step Up on Second Street on the groundbreaking of supportive housing for homeless population 

December 13, Shangri-La Industries and Step Up, with the support of the City of Asheville, broke ground on the former Ramada, providing 113 units of permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness in Asheville.                                                [...]

Tony and Lisa

Voices from Asheville’s Emergency Shelter, Part 1: Tony and Lisa

    This spring, the City of Asheville began providing rooms for unsheltered people experiencing homelessness at several hotels in the area, including at the Ramada Inn, 148 River Ford Parkway. This incredible opportunity was made possible by an unprecedented level of federal funding from several sources. It played a key role in keeping our homeless community [...]

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Voices from Asheville’s Emergency Shelter, Part 4: Victoria G.

  The City of Asheville has been sharing stories from people staying at the emergency shelter at the Ramada Inn for the past month. This is the final story in our series. We want to thank everyone who has been so kind as to share their stories with us, and we believe that these stories have [...]

Jason emergency shelter resident

Voices from Asheville’s Emergency Shelter, Part 3: Jason S.

    This month, the City of Asheville is sharing stories from people who have been staying in the emergency shelter at the Ramada Inn that have been gathered by our partners at Sunrise Community for Recovery & Wellness. We’re extremely grateful that we’ve been trusted with these stories, as they are incredible tales of resilience and [...]

Voices from the Emergency Shelter Part 2: Timmy W.

This month, the City of Asheville is sharing stories from people who have been staying in the emergency shelter at the Ramada Inn. Our partners at Sunrise Community for Recovery & Wellness have connected us with people at the Ramada who are interested in speaking about their experiences. We at the City of Asheville are [...]

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What is an emergency shelter, and why does the City of Asheville want to open one?

  While our community has strong shelter providers, our homeless service system needs more overnight capacity for people with complex needs. The existing system gap poses an opportunity to create an emergency shelter with individual rooms for each person or family.    People experiencing homelessness are often in crisis.  This shelter would also provide clinical care and housing-focused [...]

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