As part of the nationwide 2020 Point-in-Time (PIT) count, the Asheville-Buncombe County Homeless Initiative has completed its report of the community’s one-night count of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The final report was submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) on May 15.
Asheville’s count was conducted in the afternoon and evening of Jan. 29, 2020. More than two dozen volunteers from Homeward Bound of Western North Carolina and the Charles George VA Medical Center Homeless Services Team participated in the street count. Area shelters, service providers, and housing programs provided additional data.
“The Point-In-Time count provides a year-over-year perspective for HUD to compare what’s happening in communities across the country on a single night,” said Asheville-Buncombe Homelessness Initiative staff liaison Brian Huskey. “But it’s exactly what it says it is — a “point in time” — and doesn’t necessarily represent the full spectrum of how many might experience homelessness throughout the rest of the year. And it doesn’t represent the progress being made toward our goal of ending homelessness.”
The total count for 2020 was 547 persons, down 6% (33 individuals) from 2019. This year’s data are consistent with the past several years, indicating effective homeless and housing services that have been able to prevent an increase in the scale of homelessness despite a tightening housing market.
The City of Asheville’s priority is to decrease the number of people experiencing homelessness in our community by continuing to develop new resources for permanent, affordable housing. Last year, the City invested in the Housing Trust Fund and HOME Investment Partnership Program funds in Key Commons, a project of Homeward Bound, which will create 13 units of housing dedicated to people experiencing homelessness.
Unaccompanied homeless youth and young adults (under age 25)
29
15
The full 2020 Point-in-Time report to be released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development later this year will include additional demographic detail and a summary of historic data.
José Valadez looks over the balcony at the Red Roof Inn in Asheville on Tuesday. Valadez is a client of Homeward Bound, which began housing otherwise homeless clients at the motel during the coronavirus pandemic this week. Photo by Jacob Biba, courtesy of Carolina Public Press.
It had been a while since Jose Valadez could commandeer a television without complaint.
Valadez, 50, had been homeless since the place he was sharing with a friend in Marion burned last year, he said.
On Monday, he was one of about 30 individuals who moved from a temporary shelter at Harrah’s Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville — managed by the nonprofit Homeward Bound of Western North Carolina — to a Red Roof Inn on the city’s west side.
“Man, I feel like a king now,” Valadez said Tuesday after taking stock of his new room, which came with a flat-screen television, microwave, refrigerator, a clean, firm bed and a shower.
The Asheville City Council, meeting virtually Tuesday, unanimously approved contracts for amended services with Homeward Bound and the Red Roof Inn on Crowell Road.
Under the agreement, the city will rent 60 rooms at $44.99 per night, including tax, which will be reimbursable through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. An additional agreement will extend around-the-clock security to the motel.
The city had previously approved the use of the civic center for up to 50 people, but that population had dropped to about 30 after the organization was able to find permanent housing for some clients and others chose to leave, Homeward Bound Executive Director Meredith Switzer told Carolina Public Press.
The city’s move of members of its homeless population from downtown to a busy commercial highway interchange on its western side, nearly 6 miles away, did not go unnoticed Tuesday. In public comments submitted by phone before Tuesday’s council vote on the relocation to the Red Roof Inn, some callers questioned the city’s actions and arrangements for security.
Mayor Esther Manheimer said security is typically present at regular shelters and is being provided at the motel. City Manager Debra Campbell said staff studied what other jurisdictions, including Charlotte and Greensboro, had done. Assistant City Manager Cathy Ball said transportation will be provided to those who need it.
The city’s arrangement with the civic center was winding down, and a new placement was needed. City officials worked at a “fast pace” to find a location but could not force hotels to work with them, Ball said.
“As to the location, it is not ideal,” Ball said.
The civic center space provided an innovative stopgap but lacked privacy. Beds were placed several feet apart along a concourse area, Switzer said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that noncongregate spaces be identified to house unsheltered people because they may be at higher risk of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
José Valadez inside his room at the Red Roof Inn in Asheville on Tuesday. Photo by Jacob Biba, courtesy of Carolina Public Press
“They were residing in a congregate shelter area, which at the time was a great fit and met their needs and kept them safe,” Switzer said. “But this is, you know, one step better than that, because now they have privacy, they have their own bathroom facilities. We had a client yesterday who said the first thing she wanted to do is take a bath; you know, she just wanted to kind of decompress.”
Like other specially arranged shelters for homeless residents in North Carolina, the provision of housing in Asheville is coming in part through federal funding. North Carolina received approval from FEMA in early April to provide as many as 16,500 housing units, including dorms and hotels, for those at-risk for COVID-19 and who lacked stable housing. That funding has subsequently been extended to June 6, according to a letter from FEMA to Michael Sprayberry, the N.C. emergency management director, posted on the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services website. That letter, dated May 7, also said about 600 people had been housed in noncongregate shelters. Kelly Haight Connor, a spokesperson for DHHS, said that under the FEMA waiver, 50 shelter sites had been set up by counties, local jurisdictions and nonprofits covering 66 counties as of Friday. Switzer estimated that as many as 150 people are chronically without shelter in the Asheville area and said she was not aware of any COVID-19 cases among them. Those staying at the Red Roof Inn are signing agreements to limit travel to essential needs only and to practice social distancing, Switzer said. Homeward Bound is expected to fill the remaining rooms Wednesday and Thursday, Switzer said. The Dale Fell Community Health Center will provide health care, including telemedicine and clinics, if necessary. Those staying at the motel will have access to case management through Homeward Bound staff on-site, outdoor space, linens, internet and a contracted laundry service, Switzer said. Meals are being coordinated through 12 Baskets, a local nonprofit food relief agency. Valadez said he arrived at the civic center in early April after hearing about it on a bus. Since arriving, he said he has been able to get on medicine to treat his bipolar disorder as well as receive other services. “It’s a breath of fresh air,” he said..
Items critically needed at this time include: Camping gear, toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, disinfectant cleaning supplies including wipes, regular baby wipes, disposable gloves, towels, soap, underwear, socks, and unopened (without the seal broken) over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers and cold medicine.
The following items are needed for our emergency shelter at Harrah’s Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville. Donations can be dropped off on-site or at the Welcome Home Donation Center, details below.
bottled water
single serving packaged snacks, breakfast items, and Gatorade, sodas (especially coke), tea, juice
At this time, Homeward Bound accepting food items for our clients in housing who cannot afford it any more. Food donations can only be dropped off between 9am to noon.
Canned meals like Chili, Ravioli, and Spaghetti O’s.
Spaghetti sauce and pasta
canned meat (except for tuna) ham, spam, chicken, and Hormel completes
dried beans, rice, and pasta
Soups, chili and stews
mac and cheese that does not require milk,
canned vegetables and fruits
fresh vegetables that do not require refrigeration
Fresh fruits that do not require refrigeration
any kind of breakfast bar, belvita, oatmeal
Applesauce
Peanut butter
Jelly
Bread
Cooking oil
Crackers
Instant mash potatoes
Nuts
Instant tea and lemonade
Donors may drop them off any time of day at our Welcome Home Donation Center at 205 Elk Park Drive, but preference is for between 9am to noon, in outside the front door and placed in the donation bins. In an effort to promote social distancing and to curb any potential spread of illness, donation center doors will not be open to the public and donated items will be sanitized upon receipt.
Watch the video below to hear Meredith Switzer’s interview with Taylor from WLOS. If you cannot drop off items for the donation drive at 205 Elk Park Drive in Woodfin, please consider a monetary donation to Homeward Bound.
Watch John Le’s story on WLOS about Key Common, Homeward Bound’s newest endeavour into becoming property owners. “Our first foray into owning our own property,” explained Executive Director Meredith Switzer. Watch the video for interviews with Board Member Brian Methvin, as well as Duke Energy employees who participated in the beautification process.
Homeward Bound staff member Erin recently transitioned into a new role as liaison between Buncombe County Library staff and the homeless community accessing the library. The County approached Homeward Bound because they had so many homeless individuals spending time in the library. With our help, library staff now have additional support and homeless services can be provided directly to those who need them.
Community support is the only way we can come together to end homelessness.
How did the need for the position get started and how was it created? I believe the library noticed they’ve had an increasing number of patrons experiencing homelessness. They wanted to provide more support for those individuals.
What type of work do you do on a day to day basis? I work one on one with individuals experiencing homelessness, helping them to navigate the housing market and community resources. This can look a lot of different ways, depending on the needs of the individual. Sometimes I simply provide lists of income-based housing or shelters. Other times, I accompany people to do housing applications and visit programs for the first time. I regularly help people connect to community resources like health care, free food, employment and shelter. I do a lot of active listening.
What has been the biggest surprise? What has been the biggest challenge? The biggest surprise is the magnitude of need for homeless services throughout Buncombe County libraries. I’m extremely busy! The biggest challenge is the lack of affordable housing in Asheville right now.
Check out Chris and his story from StoryShare. He started out entering AHOPE while he was living outside, using it as an oasis for a shower, hot coffee and a place to pick up mail. After Chris moved into his own home, he decided to give back to AHOPE and help others in need of assistance. Watch the video and hear his heartwarming tale.
April is a single mom with two teenage daughters who were homeless for six years. She grew up with a single mother who experienced domestic violence and struggled to find healthy ways to cope and keep her children safe. April also experienced relationship violence as an adult and created similar hardships for her and her children.
April had to live separately from her daughters because she did not have a permanent home.
April lived in and out of shelters in Asheville while working at a local motor lodge. Shelters felt like a prison to April, waiting for lockers and showers and strict bedtimes so, often, she lived on the streets. Homelessness required her to walk all night and stay awake to withstand the coldness of winter.
April’s Daughter Comes to Town
April’s oldest daughter texted her in June of 2018 to say she wanted to live with her. April had been staying at a local shelter, but they wouldn’t take in the 17-year-old. Rather than be separated again, April and her daughter began sleeping in their Jeep in church parking lots. They acquired many trespassing tickets throughout the winter time while April’s daughter was recovering from pneumonia. The Jeep was finally towed, along with all of their personal belongings. Throughout this time, April and her daughter continued to go to AHOPE for showers, charging their cell phones, snacks, and other needed services.
On January 29, Homeward Bound Case Manager Amanda moved April and her family into their very own home. With a letter from Homeward Bound saying they were housed, the courts dropped the trespassing charges they received while living in their car.
April wants people to know that ‘the struggle is real’ and that there aren’t enough shelters for single mothers or fathers with children. She and her daughters had to wait over four months for their apartment because three bedroom units are few and far between.
April (left) and her case manager Amanda (center). Her daughter is featured on the right.
She also explains that working full time or even part-time, and living on the streets, is virtually impossible when you are trying to keep your family together and safe. Now that they have moved into their own home, they are making plans for the girls to continue their education and for April to get back to work.
Candice Dickinson’s heart broke while seeing how humans can treat people just because they do not have a home. As a young artist living in NYC, she became inspired by the people experiencing homeless surrounding her. They huddled next to each other trying to sleep and stay warm. It felt like an overwhelming problem that was just not right. Giving a dollar here and there wouldn’t even make a dent in these people’s lives. She felt the panic of being one paycheck away from not affording rent or bills. She asked herself what would happen if she didn’t have family to fall back on when times got hard.
Finding Home
This compassion, as well as Dickinson’s passion for the arts, motivated Finding Home. The performance is a collection of tales that tell true stories of our neighbors who have lived for years without a home.
After taking a tour of AHOPE, Homeward Bound’s homeless day center, Dickinson partnered with the agency and create this play as a fundraiser. Her goal is to only raise money for Homeward Bound so it can continue its mission of finding permanent homes for the homeless. But also to tell the story and share ideas that can change people’s hearts and minds.
Logistics
The performances take place January 11-14 at 7:00pm at the Phil Mechanic Studios in the River Arts District. Finding Home is an intimate piece of theater with a cast of eight singers and actors and a band. The cast are all Asheville locals who have worked professionally in the theater community both in Asheville and throughout the country.
Available at the performances are exclusive small plates from the new menu of the upcoming restaurant venture from Jacob Sessoms of Table along with clean and sour brews from Wicked Weed.
Those of us who work at Homeward Bound know first – hand how life-changing it is when someone experiencing homelessness settles into a new home. We can’t end homelessness alone though, and we love to bring other people and groups into the process whenever we can.
The ALOFT hotel staff just completed their fourth sponsored move-in and it’s great team building for their employees. One team member told us, “This is the most meaningful day of my year.” We also got to discover General Manager David McCartney’s skills driving a moving truck and making beds.
Everyone can get involved
Even younger folks can get involved! Students from the Rainbow Community School recently held two fundraisers to be able to buy household items that folks need when they move into new homes. They also worked on budgeting and went to the grocery store to buy as many items as they could. We’re proud that they’re taking action to improve our community. Thanks to all the parents and teachers for supporting this initiative!
Last year Harry moved from a shelter to his own home through his work with us. We interviewed him to understand what the experience was like and what’s happening in his life now.
“A year ago, during the winter months, around January and February I was living in the shelter. I had arthritis in my feet and hands real bad. I got in touch with Homeward Bound and they helped me set a course because I didn’t have the money for an apartment and to get my life on track.
This is the first place I’ve ever had of my own. I’ve always rented a room. This is my little home now. The people who live around me here, we’re all close neighbors and we get on good. There’s no violence or crime around here. We all have a sense of humor. I prank them. I have to keep them on their toes. I see them in the evening and it’s just like a family coming home from a day’s work. I go out there and holler at them. I get them cranked up. Having a place is good for me.
When people ask how I got my place, I tell them, ‘I went to the Lord and the Lord led me to Homeward Bound.’ It all came in one picture and when it did, it showed me the better side that I could live and how to leave the side I didn’t want to be in anymore. Every morning I was waking up and not knowing where my next meal would be coming from or waking up in the morning and wanting a cold Mountain Dew and not having the money in my pocket to do it. I was getting hungry during the day or wanting to lay down and you’d have to go find a bush somewhere. I don’t have to do that anymore. I can get in my bed to lay down or sit in my chair.
I have my own little place where I feel comfortable and safe. I’m a yard person anyway. It’s warming up. I’ll be out sitting out there in the yard, talking with my friends, and just enjoying life having a home. The yard is nice with the trees and the lawn. I used to sit in my grandmother’s yard out there all the time. They wouldn’t let you in the house. We were kids. We couldn’t leave the yard. I’d get sleepy and go to sleep in one of the chairs out in the sun. I do that now the same way as when I was a little kid. The sun is good for the body. I sit out there two or three hours every day and enjoy the sun.
Now I just want to get closer to the Lord. I don’t want much. Everybody can use more money, don’t get me wrong. I only ask for what the Lord gives me and I’m content with that. I’m as happy as a little pea in a pod. Homelessness is just a miserable thing to go through. I went to Homeward Bound and I asked them to help me. They were the only people I asked. They told me six to eight weeks. I got a place in five weeks. I know they’ll always be there because they told me that. They’re beautiful people. I haven’t seen any ugly people. That’s a figure of speech.
When I was around 30 I couldn’t get a place because I had a felony. People would put me on the back burner. Homeward Bound moved me around to the front burner and set me on high. They go through a lot of people in a day. They helped me with my food stamps and a lot of things. If they can do it, they do it all. They get you situated in a place where you feel comfortable. I could have moved if I wanted to, but I want to stay here because it’s my home. I hope I get to live here a long, long, long time. I hope it’s a long time before the Lord calls my number. You don’t have all this agony and weight on your shoulders. I couldn’t feel any better when I get up in the morning.”
