Asheville’s Safe Shelter Program Expands, Hosting Homeless Families Year-Round
Asheville’s Safe Shelter program is continuing to utilize churches to host homeless shelters in the community. The program, which initially launched in 2022 as a winter shelter, has now expanded to different locations, hosting shelters year-round with the primary objective of keeping families together.
Keeping Families Together
The importance of keeping families intact within the Safe Shelter program is emphasized. Safe Shelter ensures that families can stay together and allows pets, which sets it apart from other shelters. Each location can accommodate up to 20 individuals, with a focus on families.
Safe Shelter operates through a partnership with local churches, including Trinity United Methodist Church, which will open its doors to provide shelter space starting June 1.
Expansion and Referral System
There is a referral system in place for families to access the program. Various organizations in the community can provide referrals, and the program maintains a rolling list based on need. The goal is to establish additional Safe Shelter locations to accommodate more families seeking assistance in the future.
Focus on Safety and Transition
The priority placed on safety at the shelter locations is emphasized. Safe Shelter aims to minimize entry barriers for motivated individuals with clear transition plans. The program acts as a support system to help families stabilize their situation and work towards sustainable housing solutions.
Future Plans and Community Engagement
The shelter at Trinity United is scheduled to operate from June 1 to July 1, with plans for other locations to continue the shelter service in subsequent months. The long-term vision is to establish additional shelters to cater to the growing need in the community.
Further community engagement is hoped for, with the belief that many churches and facilities have the capacity to provide shelter beyond just short-term commitments.
