Homeward Bound adds 70 emergency beds to fill Asheville winter shelter gap

Homeward Bound of Western North Carolina will open 70 additional emergency shelter beds in Asheville to offset a projected loss of more than 100 regular and winter shelter spots across Buncombe County this season. The expansion raises the nonprofit's Code Purple capacity from 20 to 90 beds for men, couples, and individuals with pets.

The move responds to the Salvation Army's decision to pause its regular residential shelter program at the Center of Hope in Asheville. The Army will suspend operations on Nov. 1 due to funding shortages, removing approximately 65 year-round beds from the local system. Homeward Bound staff and volunteers will take over the building to provide overnight shelter during dangerous weather conditions, though they will not replace the year-round services the Army previously offered.

Alanna Kinsella, director of homeless services at Homeward Bound, said the organization aims to provide roughly 7,200 overnight bed stays between November and April. The service is expected to help more than 150 people during that period.

Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care activates Code Purple when temperatures or wind chills drop to 32 degrees or lower, or when temperatures range between 33 and 40 degrees with precipitation. Kinsella noted that while the program fills a critical gap during bad weather, the need for shelter does not disappear when conditions improve. She expressed a desire for a low-barrier shelter that operates independently of inclement weather.

Local governments are increasing financial support for the initiative. Asheville and Buncombe County have each budgeted $100,000 for the 2026-27 season, doubling their contributions from the previous year. Asheville City Council recently approved an agreement that allows the city to accept and manage the county's funding share.

The Salvation Army has stated it hopes to reopen the program once sufficient funding is secured. Meanwhile, the Continuum of Care plans to provide 35 shelter beds for women and women with children through ABCCM. Safe Shelter will also offer 40 overflow beds if participating Code Purple shelters reach capacity.

The winter emergency shelter season begins Sunday, Nov. 1, and continues through April 30, 2027. The Code Purple cohort will publish the finalized manual next week after selecting the Operations Coordinator.