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Press release from the city of Asheville:
ASHEVILLE — In response to anticipated wintry weather, area shelters will offer emergency cold weather services to people who are currently experiencing homelessness and would not otherwise have a safe, warm place to stay.
To minimize risk to people in Asheville and Buncombe County, when the temperature falls below 32 degrees (or the equivalent with the wind chill factor) area shelters will designate a CODE PURPLE.
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.
Shelters offering CODE PURPLE services include:
A-Hope Day Center
19 North Ann St., Asheville, NC 28801
828-252-8883
The week of Feb. 16-21, the A HOPE Day Center will open to everyone from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
ABCCM Veteran’s Quarters
1329 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC 28805
828-299-8791
People seeking shelter can access the Veteran’s Quarters emergency shelter starting at 4 p.m. The shelter will accommodate additional homeless individuals in a separate classroom building.
Salvation Army
204 Haywood St., Asheville NC, 28801
828-253-4723
The Salvation Army will offer their space for people to come inside and sit during the day. People can come to the agency for overnight emergency shelter services starting at 6 p.m. The Salvation Army will offer overflow spaces through the use of cots, mats and blankets.
Western Carolina Rescue Ministries
225 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28801
828-254-1529
The agency will post a CODE PURPLE on the top right-hand corner of their website and post a CODE PURPLE indicator on the front door of the shelter each night that CODE PURPLE is in effect.
During CODE PURPLE, regular services are enhanced by extending the number of evening overflow spaces through the use of cots, mats and blankets, allowing clients to remain indoors throughout the day in our chapel, encouraging police, paramedics, and other agencies who may encounter people outside to bring people needing shelter after the normal “closed door” time of 6 p.m.
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