Extreme cold temperatures are expected this weekend with wind chills below zero. Code Purple is now in effect and is expected to continue throughout the holiday weekend. The City of Asheville supports the Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee and Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition’s Code Purple plan to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people in our community during this extreme weather event.
In addition to Code Purple, 50 nightly, referral-only Winter Shelter beds are available across the community provided by Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministries (ABCCM), Jubilee Alternative Micro Shelter (JAMS), and Winter Safe Shelter.
During this weather event, 105 Code Purple beds are available with capacity to flex above that if needed to ensure no one is turned away. First responders, including Asheville Police, Asheville Fire, and Buncombe County Community Paramedics, are working alongside service providers to connect and transport people who are houseless to shelters.
“ABCCM is proud to be a Code Purple provider this year as part of the community’s plan. We’re ready for this weekend’s weather and we have the capacity to shelter anyone in need over the holidays and beyond,” says Tim McElyea with ABCCM.
“I am grateful for Asheville’s community response to the needs of our most vulnerable residents,” said Mayor Esther Manheimer. “As soon as the forecast indicated extreme weather was coming, partners took a proactive approach and communicated with one another to make sure there will be transportation to shelters as well as shelter space for all people.”
Here is a list of community resources that will provide shelter and transportation to houseless persons during this weather event.
| Location | Population | Transit Route |
| ABCCM Veterans Restoration Quarters1329 Tunnel Road828-259-5333 | Single Men | WE2170 |
| ABCCM Transformation Village30 Olin Haven Way828-259-5365 | Single WomenWomen with children | W2 |
| Families in need of Code Purple should contact ABCCM to make shelter arrangements. |
Transportation
● ABCCM will provide shuttle service with pickups at its Crisis Ministry (24 Cumberland Ave.) Call ABCCM to check for shuttle times.
ART
● Bus transit through ART is free to Code Purple sites at night and from Code Purple sites to downtown the following morning. NOTE: ART will not run on December 25.
