"Going above and beyond."

Andrea's Story

Homeward Bound’s Rapid Rehousing and Homelessness Prevention program provides short-term financial support and case management to individuals and families at imminent risk of homelessness and to those already experiencing homelessness in Buncombe County. Our Rapid Rehousing and Homelessness Prevention Specialist, Jesika Davis, shares an experience from her work supporting Andrea, a mother who was facing homelessness with her two children.

"My client was forced to move because her landlord was unable to renew her lease. She was a perfect tenant, they acknowledged, but they needed the house for personal reasons. She and her two children were scrambling to find a new place that would accept their housing voucher. Her old landlord confirmed she would get her whole deposit back, but not until after she moved out, and gave her 30 days to do so. Time was running out, and her former landlord was planning to file an eviction against Andrea.

This is when Andrea used our Get Help webpage to apply for housing assistance through Homeward Bound's Rapid Rehousing and Homelessness Prevention program. We were able to help her with the inspection, lease signing, landlord negotiations, and ultimately the deposit within the week. When the new landlord spoke with me and learned more about Homeward Bound, he was willing to give Andrea the keys early just based on our word, also allowing her to avoid an eviction on her record. She was so relieved and grateful that she asked if she could thank our team personally.” - Jesika

“I want to personally take the time to thank Homeward Bound’s Jesika, Amanda, Housing Services Director Jenny, and the whole finance department for making it possible for me and my kids to move into our beautiful home we’re in now.

I am beyond thankful for the urgency, compassion, and going above and beyond to make this chapter of my life possible for me and my kids. I appreciate you all and thank you so much again for all of your hard work to make this happen.” – Andrea

You can help support Homeward Bound's ongoing efforts to prevent homelessness for families like Andreas'.

Updates to our Rapid Rehousing and Prevention programs:

In June, Homeward Bound was awarded a $466,674 Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) grant by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This funding was created to help households in Buncombe County that have become homeless since Hurricane Helene.

The RUSH grant, which ends in July 2026, includes support for both Rapid Rehousing and Homeless Prevention. Rapid Rehousing will help at least 20 households exit homelessness, while Prevention funding will assist at least 30 households in avoiding eviction or housing loss. To carry out this work, we’ve added two new Case Managers to our Rapid Rehousing team.

“This is a great opportunity for our community to have additional funding to support folks who have struggled since the storm. We have so many new people experiencing homelessness for the first time or who have come into hard situations. This is a huge boost of support for the Buncombe community.”

- Jenny Moffatt, Housing Services Director

Homeward Bound Rapid Rehousing and Homelessness Prevention Case Managers, Lindsey (left) and Jesika. 

Faces of AHOPE

Meet Kelly

Kelly cares a lot about his friends and community at the AHOPE Day Center. He's been coming to AHOPE for years to access essentials and daily needs. You can always find him chatting with staff and friends near the front desk over his morning coffee. 

Code Purple at AHOPE

For the first time, Homeward Bound is participating in Code Purple shelter efforts. Our AHOPE Day Center opened the day before Thanksgiving and now provides 20 beds to support couples and people with pets who need shelter this winter.

We recognized the need to fill this gap for our unhoused community. Some neighbors have, in the past, chosen not to go to shelters when it meant being separated from their partners or having to leave their animals outside.

We want to thank the amazing volunteers who have signed up to support our staff and clients during Code Purple season.

Code Purple will continue to be available when called through April 30, 2026. More info about Code Purple in Buncombe can be found here. 

Homeward Bound staff and volunteers next to our new cots on the first floor of AHOPE. 

"Everybody Needs A Home"

Click here to read AVL Watchdog's recent article on how the White House's new federal policy threatens funding for permanent supportive housing (PSH). The article features interviews with Homeward Bound staff and clients, including individuals served by both our Housing programs and the AHOPE Day Center.

Homeward Bound's Key Commons 11-unit PSH apartment complex in West Asheville. 

October and November Move-ins

The Welcome Home Donation Center team picking up household items and essentials donated by the Eaton Corporation.

Homeward Bound SSVF's Healthcare Navigator, Heather McConnell, with donations from Hanes for Good.

"Katie and the awesome team at First Bank on Tunnel Road held a great food donation drive for residents at Compass Point Village. Big hearts and thank you!" - Terry Fields, Welcome Home Donation Center Program Manager

Holiday Gifts for Homeward Bound

If you’re out doing your holiday shopping, please consider picking up any of these gift ideas to support the community we serve. Our AHOPE Day Center and Housing programs are in urgent need of the following items to support our unhoused and housed community members this winter.

Click the links below for a full list of needed items.

Housing programs needed items

AHOPE Day Center needed items

Click here to donate items to the Welcome Home Donation Center.

Events & Partnerships

Holiday Sip & Shop

 Thursday, December 11, 2025

6 PM - 8 PM at West Asheville Aesthetics & Wellness

747 Haywood Rd, Suite 201

West Asheville Aesthetics & Wellness is hosting a Holiday Sip & Shop with local makers, wreath-making, cocktails, live music, and a $5 raffle!

100% of the proceeds from the raffle will support our work in preventing and ending homelessness in our community. 

Home for the Holidays FUNdraiser

Saturday, December 20th, 2025

5 PM - 9 PM at The Orange Peel 

101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

Come on out for an evening of holiday cheer featuring: Santa, face painting, live music, silent auction, food, drinks, treats, and fun for all ages!

Hosted by Town and Mountain Realty, this event is open to everyone. They're asking for a minimum $10 donation at the door: Every dollar raised will go directly to five local nonprofits, including Homeward Bound of WNC, Equal Plates Project, Helpmate, Mountain Housing Opportunities, and Asheville-Buncombe Community Land Trust. 

More info about the event can be found here. 

Wild Birds Unlimited partnership!

November - December 31, 2025

946 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804

Throughout the remainder of the year, our friends at Wild Birds Unlimited in North Asheville are collecting donations for Homeward Bound and offering deals to those who donate at their store. They are also collecting small donation items for the Welcome Home Donation Center!

More info can be found here. 

10-pack Made with Love in Asheville collection by Spicewalla

There is still time to purchase Spicewalla's limited-edition spice pack and cook booklet. From now until December 31, $15 from every sale will directly support Homeward Bound of WNC and other local nonprofits that helped support our community after Hurricane Helene. 

Click here to get yours today!

Upcoming Closures

Homeward Bound's administrative offices, Welcome Home Donation Center, and AHOPE Day Center will be closed for the holidays on the following dates. We wish our community happy holidays as our staff spend this time with their families. 

The work reported in KEYnotes was supported by grants from the following organization(s): 

Walnut Cove Members Association 

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