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Our Mission: Preventing and ending homelessness in our community through permanent housing and support

Happy staff from Homeward Bound WNC

Our Values

We believe…

Everyone deserves a HOME.

In the absolute value and worth of every single human being.

All services should be offered with respect and empathy, in the spirit of hope and recovery.

Homelessness is a solvable problem.

Prioritizing Home

Our Approach

Homeward Bound’s work is based on substantial evidence that people experiencing homelessness can achieve stability and thrive through flexibility, individualized support, and client autonomy.
THE RESULT: higher housing retention rates, reduced reliance on costly crisis services and institutions, and improved health and social outcomes for our neighbors across Buncombe County.
Learn More About Our Programs

The Cost of Homelessness:

Homelessness is felt by everyone in a community.

The chronically homeless is a highly vulnerable and medically fragile population whose overuse of public services such as crisis centers, hospital emergency departments, ambulances, and law enforcement costs, on average, $30,000 to $50,000 per individual per year.

The estimated cost of Permanent Supportive Housing is less than $15,000 per individual per year, significantly less than what it costs for this vulnerable population to live on the streets.

The History of Homeward Bound of WNC

1987

Hospitality House of Asheville

Homeward Bound was established in 1987 as “Hospitality House of Asheville”, operating out of a local church. 

1998

AHOPE Day Center
The AHOPE Day Center opens on 19 North Ann St. on a property donated by the City of Asheville.

2005

The City of Asheville and Buncombe County shifts homelessness strategy from temporary shelters to permanent housing solutions.

2006

Change in Name and Mission
Hospitality House changes its name to Homeward Bound and adopts the Housing First model, along with a new mission to prevent and end homelessness in our community through permanent housing and support.

2014

Supportive Services for Veteran Families
Homeward Bound receives the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grant to begin administering homeless prevention and rapid rehousing and support to veterans and their families.

2016

Woodfin Apartments
In partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville, Woodfin became Homeward Bound’s first exclusively Permanent Supportive Housing facility in 2016. It provided homes for 18 of Asheville’s most vulnerable community members and achieved a 92% housing retention rate. The success of Woodfin helped pave the way for Compass Point Village seven years later.

2016

Welcome Home Donation Center

Homeward Bound opens the Welcome Home Donation Center to receive household items, furniture, hygiene supplies, and other donations from our local community. 

2019

Key Commons
Homeward Bound purchases an apartment complex in West Asheville to provide 13 homes to individuals living below 30% of the area median income (AMI) with significant case management needs. Tenant rents enable this recently renovated multifamily property to house 13 people and be self-sustaining.

2021-2023

Compass Point Village
Homeward Bound purchases and converts a former Days Inn motel into Compass Point Village, the largest Permanent Supportive Housing program of its kind in WNC. Today, Compass Point Village provides 85 permanent supportive studio apartments and on-site behavioral health services, case management, and job training for individuals who’ve experienced chronic homelessness in our community.

2026

Homeward Bound of WNC rebrands to its current look.