Press release from Homeward Bound:
Homeward Bound Executive Director Meredith Switzer was overwhelmed with joy when she announced a $250,000 gift from Dr. Brown Crosby during a virtual event the organization held on May 20.
Homeward Bound live-streamed The Event to End Homelessness – a deep dive into homelessness in Asheville and Buncombe County. The program brought to light the realities and obstacles to housing the unhoused, through spoken word, poetry, song, and a short film called Housing is Healthcare.
Retired Asheville physician and philanthropist Dr. Brown Crosby has been an advocate for marginalized members of the community for many years. Crosby was impressed with the work Homeward Bound is doing to end homelessness and made the quarter of a million-dollar gift to the organization.
“We were thrilled and honored to receive such a generous gift,” said Switzer. “In the conversations I’ve had with Dr. Crosby, it is clear that he wants his donation to make an impact. We have created the Dr. Brown Crosby Housing is Healthcare Fund that will help cover some of the costs associated with housing.”
Switzer said establishing the Housing is Healthcare Fund will also allow Homeward Bound to better weather the fluctuation in government grant awards. A 2019 HUD (Housing and Urban Development) grant award was decreased by approximately $72,000, creating a gap in rental assistance funding for a number of clients Homeward Bound has moved into housing. Dr. Crosby’s fund helps the organization fill that gap, resulting in moving more people into permanent homes.
If you would like to know more about or to donate to the Dr. Brown Crosby Housing is Healthcare Fund, contact Jim Lowder at jim@homewardboundwnc.org or visit https://homewardboundwnc.org/housing-is-healthcare-fund/.
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