Downtown homeless shelter to expand

The Western Carolina Rescue Ministries plans to launch a $7 million construction project in May that will double space and services for homeless people and people battling drug and alcohol addiction.

The shelter has been awarded a $1 million grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, which puts the homeless shelter about halfway toward its funding goal for the construction project, Western Carolina Rescue Ministries Director Vic Howard said Wednesday.

The shelter consists of three buildings and is located on the western end of the downtown portion of Patton Avenue, near the intersection with Haywood Street. It provides 300 meals a day to homeless people and overnight shelter for 100 men, women and children every night, according to Howard. The shelter also offers 24 beds for its alcohol- and drug-addiction program.

The shelter’s new building will be four-stories tall and be built at the shelter’s current location. Construction is scheduled to begin May 13, Howard said.

— Jason Sandford, multimedia editor

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3 thoughts on “Downtown homeless shelter to expand

  1. evolved

    What a positive step for Asheville, to show that we truly are a city that cares for others.

  2. LOKEL

    Hmmmm ….
    If the number of homeless in Ashevegas has dropped 25% from last year and the Council has a 10 year “end homelessness in Ashevegas” initiative what is the point of spending 5M on a “new and improved” shelter?

  3. Ken Miller

    First, that’s a big if. I wouldn’t hold your breath expecting that little 25% fact to be true.

    Second, you say that the Council has a 10 year program. But two other entities (the non-profit that runs the shelter, and the grant-giver) are the two parties involved here, not the Council.

    The nonprofit is taking some initiative. They, too, could sit on their hindparts and wait to see if in 10 years the homeless problem is “solved”, but instead, they’re doing what they can to help.

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