Press release from City of Asheville:
The goal of creating a new site for permanent supportive housing in Asheville is one step closer to completion. On Friday, the City of Asheville announced that the purchase of the Ramada by Shangri-La Industries, Inc. had been finalized Thursday, September 15. The property, located at 148 River Ford Parkway, will create approximately 100 units to help people exit homelessness in Asheville. Shangri-La has partnered with the non-profit firm, Step Up on Second Street, Inc., to manage the property and provide onsite supportive services to new residents once the renovations are complete.
“Housing ends homelessness, and ending homelessness is our #1 goal,” stated Emily Ball, the Homeless Strategy Division Manager with the City of Asheville. “We’re excited to welcome an experienced partner to our community’s homeless service system and grateful to have this new solution coming soon.”
Final design work is currently underway to convert the hotel rooms into studio apartments. Over the next few months, renovations will begin and a temporary security fence will be installed during construction. Once the construction is complete, Step Up will staff the site with at least 6 case managers and two property managers to provide wrap-around services for the tenants.
“We are thrilled to partner with the City to bring much needed permanent supportive housing to the most vulnerable population,” said Andy Meyers, CEO of Shangri-La Industries. “This project will provide the opportunity for people experiencing homelessness in Asheville a safe place to call home.”
This project supports the City’s priority to reduce the number of people experiencing houselessness in Asheville. Permanent supportive housing is an approach that provides apartment homes for unhoused individuals plus onsite service support to ensure success.
On December 14, 2021, City Council approved $1.5M to fund the first three years of supportive services, making this project possible.“Our team is committed to working with partners and the community to provide evidence-based interventions for people experiencing houselessness in Asheville,” said Nikki Reid, Community & Economic Development Director for the City of Asheville. “We are growing our staff and are now hiring positions to meet this critical need.”
This project, together with Homeward Bound’s Tunnel Road project, means that approximately 185 new units of permanent supportive housing will be available in the coming months for people currently experiencing houselessness.
Find a copy of this press release on Asheville City Source.
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