Cold-weather shelter season begins in Buncombe County

Buncombe County's annual Code Purple emergency shelter season began November 1, and one Asheville nonprofit is significantly expanding the number of beds it can offer when temperatures become dangerous.

Homeward Bound of Western North Carolina announced October 28 that it will provide up to 90 Code Purple beds this winter, compared with 20 last year.

The expanded program will operate at the Salvation Army's Center of Hope at 204 Haywood Street in Asheville rather than the AHOPE Day Center.

What Code Purple means

Code Purple is an emergency overnight shelter program for people experiencing homelessness during qualifying severe winter weather. It is not a continuously open, year-round shelter.

The Asheville-Buncombe system generally activates Code Purple when the forecast temperature or wind chill reaches 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below, or when temperatures of 33 to 40 degrees are accompanied by precipitation.

The 2026–27 program season runs through April 30, 2027, but participating beds become available on announced activation nights, not necessarily every night of the season.

More room for people who face barriers to shelter

Homeward Bound says its new operation will serve single men, couples and people accompanied by pets, populations that can face particular obstacles in finding a safe indoor place to stay.

The organization expects approximately 7,200 overnight stays for more than 150 different individuals over the winter, though those projections are estimates rather than a guarantee of occupancy or beds on a particular night.

The move to the Salvation Army site reflects a partnership among local homelessness-service organizations to increase cold-weather access.

Emergency expansion comes amid loss of regular shelter beds

The added Code Purple capacity does not replace the area's supply of regular shelter beds.

The Salvation Army has announced a pause in its separate 65-bed residential shelter program beginning November 1 because of funding challenges, even as its building hosts the expanded emergency operation.

That distinction matters: the Homeward Bound beds are for severe-weather activations, while the suspended residential beds had offered more continuous accommodations.

Community officials have raised concerns about the net loss of regular and nightly winter capacity despite the additional Code Purple emergency beds.

How to find out whether shelter is available

Anyone seeking assistance should confirm that Code Purple has been activated and ask which shelter is accepting guests before making the trip.

The Code Purple recorded-information line is 828-398-6011. The City of Asheville also publishes cold-weather emergency shelter notices and participates in coordinating transportation during activations.

Individuals should not assume every shelter listed in previous years is operating in the same location, serving the same population or following identical intake hours this winter.

People supporting an unhoused neighbor can share the hotline, encourage checking current activation information and help connect them with local outreach organizations.

Funding details still require care

Earlier county discussions included a proposed Code Purple budget of $376,353 and changes to per-person reimbursement rates, but those proposals should not be described as final approvals without a confirmed decision.

For now, the confirmed local development is Homeward Bound's announced increase to 90 emergency beds and the shift to the Salvation Army Center of Hope.

With colder weather approaching, current activation notices and accurate shelter information can make a critical difference for Asheville and Buncombe County residents.