TL/DR –
In Asheville, volunteers conducted an annual homelessness count, resulting in a higher unsheltered count due to a new methodology and increased volunteer engagement. The count found 739 total people experiencing homelessness, marking an increase from the previous year’s total of 573. Responses from those surveyed highlighted misconceptions about homelessness, including the notion that it is a choice or always results from substance use or addiction, and emphasized their experiences as real individuals who sometimes do not feel safe.
Asheville’s Annual Homelessness Count Raises Awareness and Debunks Misconceptions
In Asheville’s annual homeless count, volunteers asked a novel question: “What do you wish our community understood about homelessness?” The responses paint a diverse picture of homelessness, challenging common misconceptions.
This year’s count adopted a new methodology, leading to a higher unsheltered count. The count identified 102 additional people who might have otherwise been overlooked.
The Asheville and Buncombe Continuum of Care membership reported the count results at an April meeting. They found 739 total people experiencing homelessness with 520 in shelter and transitional housing, 219 unsheltered. This is an increase from the previous year’s total of 573.
Mayor Esther Manheimer, a non-voting liaison of the new board, emphasized the impact of the count: “Every time you do this work in the point in time count… it’s life changing,” she said. She urged citizens to listen to the answers to the final question.
Homelessness Board and Experts Weigh In
The Continuum of Care (CoC), a collective working to address homelessness, recently underwent a restructuring following a recommendation from the National Alliance to End Homelessness. This was delivered in January 2023.
Christian Chambers, director of Safe Shelter and another new board member, expressed hope for collaboration and further work towards a low-barrier shelter.
Josh Morrow, a board member with lived experience of homelessness, emphasized the lack of available and affordable housing as a major obstacle for those trying to escape homelessness.
Takeaways from the Homelessness Count
Emily Ball, manager of the city’s Homeless Strategy Division, shared five key takeaways from the 2024 count. They included an acknowledgement that the data does not show an increase in unsheltered homelessness, that it provides a more accurate picture than in previous years, and that the service system has lost about 100 beds during the pandemic.
Chambers welcomed the more accurate data, suggesting it was in line with reality. Melanee Rizk, of Haywood Street Congregation, echoed this sentiment, stating the numbers seemed closer to the actual number of unhoused folks in Asheville.
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