ABCCM breaks ground on Safe Haven Shelter
July 24, 2024 – The Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM) marked a significant milestone for society’s vulnerable community in Asheville with the groundbreaking of the Safe Haven shelter on July 16. The emergency shelter is designed to provide 24/7 and year-round support for women and children, with 36 beds for single women, women with children and up to two intact families.
The Underlying Mission
Safe Haven operates on the same property as Transformation Village, ABCCM’s flagship transitional housing shelter that caters for up to 100 women and children. ABCCM’s Executive Director, the Rev. Scott Rogers, expressed his vision for the shelter during the groundbreaking ceremony. “Anybody can come. We don’t need ID — we’ll find out who you are as we go. We need you to be safe, and we will find out how safe you can be. We have the support of everybody to make sure it is safe for everybody.” Rogers said.
The project’s estimated cost is projected to be $500,000. Buncombe County boasts several emergency shelter options such as Helpmate, which provides shelter for individuals fleeing domestic violence, Western Carolina Rescue Ministries and The Salvation Army of Asheville and Buncombe County.
Safe Haven’s Offerings
Transformation Village has provided transitional housing for women and children since 2002. Safe Haven complements this provision as the first stand-alone emergency shelter, building upon several years during which Transformation Village has provided emergency beds during freezing temperatures under the communitywide Code Purple program. ABCCM plans to have Safe Haven functional by Oct. 15 to serve those in need when the cold weather period begins.
The Safe Haven shelter will span 3,700 square feet and house nine bedrooms, six bathrooms, a community room and a dining room. Food provision will include three meals a day, with hot meals provided by the main kitchen at Transformation Village. The shelter will also facilitate pet owners, with ABCCM liaising with Asheville Humane Society, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue and local vets to board animals. Substance use intervention strategies will prioritize safety, preventing active substance use within the shelter while ensuring those intoxicated at the point of entry are not a threat to others.
Additional Plans
ABCCM has additional shelter plans, including a 38-unit apartment building with 114 beds for permanent supportive housing and a 128-bed recovery housing facility. The total cost for Safe Haven and the additional facilities is anticipated to be $10.5 million, with $6 million already pledged.
Community Efforts to Combat Homelessness
Safe Haven aligns with a broader community strategy to address homelessness. Recommendations from the National Alliance to End Homelessness specify the need for more shelter capacity in Asheville and Buncombe County, suggesting an additional 95 beds. The city and county are considering a low-barrier shelter to provide 100 year-round beds and increase capacity by another 50 when needed. These efforts bolster the hope to make Asheville a safer and more inclusive city for all its inhabitants.
With persistent efforts from organizations like ABCCM, there is hope on the horizon for vulnerable residents of Asheville and Buncombe County. With its strategic planning and community support, the Safe Haven project promises a significant impact on homelessness and security for those most in need.
