The key to ending homelessness.
The Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care approved its 2025-2028 strategic plan to address homelessness in Asheville and Buncombe County. Read more about the Continuum of Care here.
Tiffany has fought hard to find her sense of self-worth and belonging. She remembers how isolating it felt to be raised with two older brothers who were the stars of her family’s eyes, and no matter how hard she tried, she was treated as an outcast and black sheep. Sick of the neglect, Tiffany decided to run away from her small town. Without a support system, she became homeless at 17 years old.
By age 30, Tiffany was chronically homeless, spending each day of the last three years of her life outside. Over time, this worsened her feelings of shame and isolation.
“I was accustomed to thinking I was nothing,” shares Tiffany. “I wasn’t doing much of anything that I was proud of. Now, I’m doing good and I know it.”
Tiffany was first introduced to Homeward Bound in 2010, not long after moving to Asheville in search of a second chance. She remembers meeting Amanda Thomas, a long-time Homeward Bound staff member who became her first Case Manager. “Amanda has seen how far I’ve come—she’s seen the beauty that’s come out of my story.”
Tiffany moved into her first home in 2011, but transitioning out of homelessness isn’t always linear. Like many of us, her sense of stability depended on her surroundings—and the right housing placement made all the difference. With continued support and a home that truly meets her needs, Tiffany has found her footing. Thanks to Homeward Bound’s HACA program, she has now been stably housed for nearly two years.
“Homeward Bound never gave up on me. They never did. And it’s been nothing but great for me. I’ve got a sense of belonging. I have a sense of security. I call it my sanctuary because I get to make decisions in my life today. I get to say who comes in and out of my house. And having that freedom and independence is just absolutely the best feeling. A euphoric feeling comes over me every time I put my key in my lock.”
Tiffany has found joy in her home. She loves cooking in her kitchen, relaxing on her back porch, creating collage art, and spending time with her dog and best friend, Mystical. In addition to having her own space, Tiffany’s relationship with her current Case Manager, Zoey, has been transformative. Tiffany shares that it took time to build trust, especially given a difficult relationship with her mother.
“She showed me how to present myself, how to advocate for myself. Zoey tells me, ‘Tiffany, it’s okay to say no. No, period.’ I never thought I could say that. I always felt like I had to please somebody.”
With this new confidence, Tiffany feels stronger than ever—able to speak to her property manager, navigate appointments, and live on her terms. She wants to use her stability to become a peer support specialist and use her story to help others, especially women escaping domestic violence or navigating life after homelessness.
“Whatever comes my way, if I can help them—that’s what I want to do. I want to give back because it was so freely given to me. I want to shout my story to other women and tell them they can do it too. There are some beautiful, strong women out here who deserve as much as I got and more.”
Above all, Tiffany wants Asheville to see the humanity in every person experiencing homelessness.
“These people out here on the street—they’re amazing people, and they deserve a chance. What you see isn’t always the whole story. Take the time. Sit down and talk to one of us. I think it would change your whole outlook.”
Tiffany plans to set up an art display next to an alcove on a street in downtown Asheville where she used to sleep. She hopes to turn a part of her journey into something inspiring.
A short film by Angry Unicorn Entertainment in collaboration with Homeward Bound of WNC.
Norma’s story was originally shared in Winter 2023.
Today, we would like to share the story of Norma, a resident who moved from the streets into housing in October 2023. Norma’s journey from a sleeping bag on the sidewalk to a home at Compass Point Village is a testament to the transformative nature of supportive housing and community support.
Norma’s life took a tragic turn in 1992 when her daughter was murdered. The pain of that tremendous loss led her to drug use. As a result, she lost her house and her support system. She also distanced herself from her other five children in an attempt to protect them from her lifestyle. She used drugs to numb the pain of what felt like one loss after another. After years of life on the streets, Norma’s health was deteriorating. She was in and out of the hospital several times before it was determined that she needed heart surgery. The doctors told Norma “your heart valves are not pumping, you should be dead.” Despite Norma’s complicated and often painful life, her faith remained unshaken. She made a promise to God that if she survived her heart surgery, she would stay substance-free. True to her word, she woke from surgery with a smile on her face and has remained clean since.
Norma’s path to housing began at Homeward Bound’s AHOPE Day Center when she enrolled in the Coordinated Entry process and it was determined Compass Point Village was the best housing intervention for Norma’s individual needs.
“I’m just grateful, SO GRATEFUL, that Compass Point Village chose me to be a resident.”
Norma thinks Compass Point Village is “a beautiful place” and “everybody here will help you in any way they can.” Norma believes in giving back to the community she now calls home. She wants her new neighbors to know “when they are down, I want to give them a laugh, when they need to talk, I got ears to hear.” Norma’s Case Manager, Erin, has been instrumental to her success, providing assistance with food, medicines, and doctor’s appointments. Norma describes Erin as sweet, kind, and always ready to help.
Norma’s journey home is a powerful reminder of the profound impact safe, stable housing can have for individuals experiencing homelessness. In housing, Norma has found community, support, wellness, and more.
We’re thrilled to share that Norma has graduated from Compass Point Village and transitioned into our Scattered Site program. Case Managers, volunteers, and residents at Compass Point Village all joined in to help Norma move into her brand-new apartment.
We’re proud of Norma and all she’s accomplished, and we’re deeply grateful to our community for supporting Homeward Bound and helping make Compass Point Village a success. Her journey is a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact housing can have for those experiencing homelessness. It’s a testament to Homeward Bound’s mission—and why our work must continue. Thank you.
As the SSVF Health Navigator, my role is to connect Veterans to VA medical services, or, if they do not qualify for those services, to community clinics such as Dale Fell Health Center and Minnie Jones Health Center.
My work supports Homeward Bound’s SSVF program by relieving some of the healthcare responsibilities from Case Managers, allowing them to focus more on housing and economic viability. It provides another support person to the Veteran who can help them navigate the health care system with ease!
Do you have an experience with a client or your team that has stuck with you?
I work a lot with Dental Life Network, an organization based out of Charlotte that helps Veterans get their dental work done for free. When you think of Veteran healthcare, you would think those with medical services would also receive dental care, but that’s not the case.
A lot of our Veterans, whether they receive VA health care or not, have not been seen by a dentist in a very long time. In my years at Homeward Bound, we have successfully gotten 3 Veterans’ teeth completely removed and FREE dentures put in. This is not a short process, and to see it come into fruition is truly a miracle and a blessing to watch.
Those memories of seeing clients with a beautiful new set of teeth will stay with me forever.
What motivated you to work at Homeward Bound, and what keeps you going?
What motivated me to start working with Homeward Bound was how much I heard and saw their name in the community. I worked with the unhoused population for 2 years before this role, and when I would talk with a Case Manager or a Housing Specialist, they were always affiliated with Homeward Bound.
I could see the change they were making in the community, and I wanted to be a part of that. When I first started, I didn’t have a lot of knowledge about the healthcare system, but over the years I have seen why people get frustrated and stop going to doctors because of the barriers that are set in place.
I hope to give some relief in that area by helping Veterans stay organized and on top of their health care appointments and journey so they can have the best quality of life possible!
After a life of serving others, Steve has reached a point where nothing fazes him anymore. His experiences in high school, service in the Air Force, and 24-year career in psychiatric nursing prepared him for a peaceful retirement where he could live life at his own pace.
Steve wasn’t yet eligible for retirement benefits, so he took on simple jobs to meet his basic needs. He never expected a job promotion to threaten his future.
“I was offered a management position at a pizza joint, and I accepted it, not thinking things through. I was a driver, and my income went down drastically because the tips were no longer there. I basically couldn’t afford my apartment anymore.”
Forced to break his lease, Steve watched his savings dwindle. “I felt a touch of panic,” remembers Steve. “A little bit of desperation. But I try to keep myself calm and think things through and find the resources I need.”
With few options, Steve moved into a local shelter for veterans the day before his lease ended. He was grateful to avoid literal homelessness, but shelter life came with challenges. Limited space, security, and food options, alongside sharing a room with two other men, gradually wore on Steve’s sense of independence.
Just as he entered his second year at the shelter, Steve heard a presentation from Homeward Bound’s Veterans Outreach team. They explained the Rapid Rehousing program, and Steve didn’t hesitate to ask for help.
Two years have passed since Homeward Bound moved Steve into his apartment in Swannanoa. His home is quiet, secure, and most importantly, it allowed him to stabilize and officially retire at 62. He says he’s free to volunteer, read, find excuses to go shopping, and go out to the park – “normal stuff that retired people do.”
“Moving into my own place provided a great sense of relief,” shares Steve, who loves Asheville and plans to stay here for the rest of his life. “I won’t have to look for and be desperate to find a place to settle. I feel a lot calmer about my future.”
Steve and his Homeward Bound Case Manager, Brea, both feel that Steve is prepared to exit the program at his estimated discharge date in October.
“That support, just knowing that there’s someone there if things get out of hand, is very comforting. She’s provided me with resources I didn’t know existed.” In turn, Brea says, “Steve is a great advocate for others. He’s always telling me about resources in town and anything he can share to help fellow clients.”
When asked what he’d share with Homeward Bound supporters, Steve says, “Don’t judge. When I see someone on the street, I feel very sympathetic toward them. I know it’s not easy. It can’t be easy. The homeless are easy to make invisible. They’re human beings for goodness’ sake. Everyone has a story…”
Steve revealed that he endured high school and four years in the Air Force as a closeted gay man. The stress of constantly looking over his shoulder and second-guessing himself, and the drugs he used to cope, led to a psychotic episode when he was 17.
“I had to be admitted for that psychosis and spent about two months in the hospital. I had some really, really caring nurses who took care of me. And I decided that’s what I wanted to do eventually – to help people like they helped me.”
