Asheville Implements Code Purple for Homeless Support

News Summary

Asheville is launching the Code Purple initiative to provide emergency shelter and support for the homeless during the cold snap starting December 1st. The program, led by the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition, aims to enhance shelter capacities and transportation assistance for individuals in need. Participating shelters will offer flexible intake processes to accommodate more people, while efforts to find ongoing housing options will also be emphasized. Community resources are mobilizing to ensure that no one is left out in frigid temperatures.

Urgent Measures Taken in Asheville to Combat Homelessness During Cold Snap

Asheville is taking swift action as the chilly winter weather descends upon our lovely city. The Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition has declared a Code Purple starting on Sunday, December 1st, to address the needs of our neighbors experiencing homelessness. This initiative aims to provide an emergency overflow shelter, ensuring safety and warmth for everyone in our community.

What is Code Purple?

For those unfamiliar with it, Code Purple is a special program that activates during extreme cold weather. The idea is to coordinate additional shelter space available to those in need in Asheville and Buncombe County. Participating shelters will open their doors and offer more beds, featuring fewer requirements than their typical programs, allowing for a more flexible intake process.

Support Beyond Shelter

But it’s not just about adding beds—these Code Purple sites will also assist participants in locating ongoing shelter and housing options. It’s a comprehensive approach designed to help individuals find a stable solution to their housing needs.

Transportation Options Available

Transportation is often a barrier for many, but fear not! Community Paramedics and the Asheville Fire Department’s Restorative Emergency Services Team (AFD-REST) are stepping up to provide transportation for those who cannot access bus transit. For patients discharged from Mission Hospital, taxi services will be provided directly to Code Purple shelters, ensuring no one gets left out in the cold.

For those utilizing the services of the Ashevillte-Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM), shuttle service to and from its Transformation Village will run frequently, starting from stop 877 at the Asheville Outlet Mall. Picking up passengers at the Crisis Ministry on Cumberland Avenue at 4 PM, the shuttle service aims to make the journey to warmth and safety as easy as possible.

Participating Shelters in Asheville

Several shelters are ready to welcome individuals seeking refuge. The ABCCM at 20 20th Street will house single men, while the ABCCM’s Transformation Village located at 30 Olin Haven Way is prepared to accommodate single women and women with children. These designated areas will ensure that our community’s most vulnerable members have a safe place to sleep during dangerously cold nights.

Riding the Buses During Code Purple

An Escalating Concern

Community Response and Future Plans

To combat this concerning upward trend, Buncombe County is taking action by planning to hire a homelessness program manager. This position will be pivotal in coordinating resources and enhancing the county’s response to homelessness. It’s clear that as a community, we must come together to create sustainable solutions for our neighbors.

As Asheville faces this cold snap, the efforts of the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition through Code Purple provide a ray of hope. By opening our hearts and doors, we can ensure that everyone has a safe and warm place to call home, if only for the night. Let’s continue to extend compassion and support to all those in need this winter season.