With temperatures expected to be below freezing overnight much of this week, the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition issued its CODE PURPLE overnight through Dec. 8 and will likely extend it further in the week due to impending winter weather.
The purpose of the CODE PURPLE procedure is to provide a coordinated effort among Asheville and Buncombe County, North Carolina shelters and other organizations to provide emergency overflow shelter to people experiencing homelessness in the event of severe weather conditions.
The City of Asheville want to remind individuals of where to go when frigid cold strikes. If you or someone you know needs shelter, the following sites are available during a CODE PURPLE.
CODE PURPLE sites
| AGENCY | POPULATION | CODE PURPLE services |
| Western Carolina Rescue Mission, 225 Patton Ave. 828-254-0471 |
Women and children only | Overflow night beds; daytime chapel space |
| Veterans’ Restoration Quarters, 1329 Tunnel Road 828-259-5333 |
Men only | Overflow night beds |
| Homeward Bound, 218 Patton Ave. 828-252-8883 |
Men and women(Day center only) | A HOPE Day Center: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. M-F |
| Steadfast House, 20 20th St. 828-259-5365 |
Women and children only | Limited overflow night beds |
| Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry, 101 N. Ridgeway Ave., Black Mountain 828-669-9404 |
Men, women and children | Emergency shelter, November through March only |
In extremely cold conditions, the CODE PURPLE sites will provide shelter beyond their normal program capacity. Persons experiencing homelessness will have the opportunity to come inside and warm up during the day, even if a shelter would typically be closed. Extra floor, cot, and bed space will be available at overnight shelters to ensure that no one has to stay outside. Shelters are encouraging emergency workers and police to urge people outside at night to come inside.
Children ages 0-6 with a sibling up to age 10 can be placed in an Angels Watch home free of charge. Referrals from shelters or parents can be made to fostercare@caring4children.org or by calling placement coordinator George Gillette at 828-775-4343 for immediate child placement.
For additional information, contact Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition Co-Chairs Tracey Childers at 828-275-7008 or Katie Beth Caswell at 828-398-6627.
For information on the Asheville Homeless Initiative, visit this link.