Press release from the city of Asheville:
The City of Asheville continues to work toward establishing a high access emergency shelter to alleviate homelessness in our city. This is a complex project with many moving pieces and stakeholder participation along the way.
While we had anticipated that City Council would vote to purchase the Ramada Inn at 148 River Ford Parkway during their Aug. 24 meeting, more time is needed and the vote will be postponed. Our decision makers need more time to assess additional details, get through the Request For Proposal process, build out relationships with potential funders, and with the neighborhood. We look forward to deepening our partnership with community members to address their concerns.
The City will continue the current shelter operation at Ramada Inn, which is providing significant service to members of our unsheltered population. Replicating lessons we learned from the temporary shelter at the Red Roof Inn, the City is providing services to support these individuals with the goal of transitioning them to permanent housing.
Given the success in connecting 48 people to permanent housing through the homeless shelter at the Red Roof Inn, the City of Asheville is proposing a project to continue that work with this new emergency shelter initiative. Funding for this project is proposed through key partnerships and federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Housing solves homelessnessThe City of Asheville Initiative embraces Housing First, an evidence-based approach that prioritizes permanent housing placement for people experiencing homelessness. Once housed, individuals and families have a stable platform from which they can recover, pursue personal goals, and improve their quality of life.
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