News Summary
As Asheville faces freezing temperatures, the Asheville Homeless Coalition has activated Code Purple to provide emergency overflow shelter for homeless individuals. This initiative not only opens additional beds in participating shelters but also simplifies the admissions process to ensure everyone has a warm place to sleep. With community support, including free public transit and transportation services, the initiative aims to protect the most vulnerable residents during this harsh winter season.
Asheville Takes Action: Code Purple Declared Amid Freezing Temperatures
As the winter chill settles over Asheville, the community is stepping up to ensure that everyone has a warm place to sleep. The Asheville Homeless Coalition has announced the activation of Code Purple effective Sunday, December 1, an initiative designed to offer emergency overflow shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. With temperatures dropping dangerously low, this coordinated effort comes as a lifeline for those in need.
What is Code Purple?
Code Purple is more than just a plan; it’s a collective effort among Asheville and Buncombe County shelters to provide a safe haven for those without shelter during extreme weather events. During this period, participating shelters will open up more beds and make the process less stringent than usual, ensuring that more people can find relief from the cold.
Where Can You Find Help?
If someone you know needs shelter, several locations will be on standby to provide assistance. Both branches of the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM) are prepared to welcome individuals in need. These sites are accessible for those with physical disabilities, ensuring that nobody is left out in the cold. Safe Shelter is also making accommodations on a case-by-case basis for individuals with specific accessibility requirements.
Transportation: A Community Effort
Transportation barriers can often prevent those in need from seeking shelter, but Asheville is working diligently to address these issues. Community Paramedics and the Asheville Fire Department’s REST team are on standby, ready to transport individuals who cannot reach the shelters via bus. For patients being discharged from Mission Hospital, taxi transportation to Code Purple sites will be available, ensuring that health-related barriers don’t hinder access to safety.
Additionally, ABCCM is providing a shuttle service to assist individuals in reaching Transformation Village, conveniently located at the Asheville Outlet Mall. Men can find shelter at 20 20th Street, while women and families with children will be housed at Transformation Village located at 30 Olin Haven Way.
Free Public Transit
Stay Informed
For anyone needing information about facilities and resources available during Code Purple, a dedicated hotline has been set up and can be reached at 828-398-6011. Awareness is crucial, and the community is being reminded of the ongoing need for support during this time.
Visual Signals Across Asheville
In a bid to keep the public informed, visual reminders of the Code Purple status are being displayed with shining purple lights at the Register of Deeds and the HHS building. These efforts serve as an important reminder of the available resources and support systems in place to protect those struggling during this harsh winter weather.
As Asheville embraces the spirit of community and compassion, Code Purple stands as a testament to the power of working together to support the most vulnerable among us. In times of need, Asheville proves that no one has to face the cold alone.
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Additional Resources
- WLOS: Free Transport & Extra Beds as Asheville Activates Code Purple
- Wikipedia: Homelessness in the United States
- Fox Carolina: Code Purple Issued in Buncombe Co.
- Google Search: Code Purple Asheville
- Spectrum Local News: Code Purple Preparation
- Britannica: External Resource
- WLOS: Asheville-Buncombe Declare Code Purple
- Google News: Asheville Code Purple
