We are writing to share the news of the passing of our community’s beloved Jim Lowder. Jim was a dedicated and passionate leader, and the Homeward Bound family is deeply saddened by his loss. For 13 years, Jim served as a pillar of our organization’s success as our Development Director, Interim Executive Director, and Director of Strategic Gifts. His contributions to our organization were invaluable, and the relationships he developed often turned into lasting friendships for so many of us. You may read his obituary here.
We will miss Jim’s unique ability to offer compassion, hope, and joy to those we serve, often reminding us that we are all part of one human family. Upon his retirement in 2024, Jim shared,
“Working to end homelessness has been part of my life since I finished college in 1969…It has been a tremendous honor working with the residents, staff, volunteers, and donors here with Homeward Bound, especially developing best practices both with our programs and with our fundraising. I also came to appreciate the enormous generosity of the Asheville area community.”
Jim changed this organization and the lives of both staff and people experiencing homelessness not just because of what he did, but because of who he was.
Jim’s final project with Homeward Bound was leading our Home is Key Capital Campaign, raising over $16 million for Compass Point Village, Buncombe County’s first motel conversion into 85 units of permanent supportive housing.
James Lowder Fund For Ending Homelessness
With blessings from him and his family, we have established the James Lowder Fund for Ending Homelessness to honor Jim’s legacy. This endowment fund supports the future of Homeward Bound of WNC and continues Jim’s passion to provide stable housing and support to our most vulnerable neighbors in Western North Carolina.
*Please note the “James Lowder Fund for Ending Homelessness” in the memo line.
Homeward Bound offers our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Jim during this time. A memorial service is being planned for a later date to be determined, and Homeward Bound will share that info as we receive it. We welcome the opportunity to connect about Jim’s legacy, the memorial fund, or the impact Jim made to your own efforts to prevent and end homelessness.
Joe Hart is the Communications Specialist for Homeward Bound of WNC. He loves telling our client's stories and encourages everyone in the community to get to know the people living near them who are experiencing homelessness. Reuniting individuals with their community is the first step to helping end homelessness everywhere.
Our measure of success generally is determined by measuring the percentage of clients in our permanent supportive housing programs who remain housed 12 months after placement. Given the many variables that impact chronically homeless clients, and consistent with other studies, we count as “housed” those who have graduated from supportive housing to other housing, those who move to health care facilities, those who have moved out of the area, and can no longer be tracked; those incarcerated, and those who have died. For example, at The Woodfin, of the 37 clients who have been housed over five years, 92% remain housed. Seventeen clients live at The Woodfin now; five have “graduated” to other housing; two have moved to nursing facilities; seven have died, and two have been imprisoned. Only four clients have been evicted.
