Putting housing first: Champagne bar hosts benefit today to end homelessness

While sipping on a glass of wine or grabbing a late night coffee, residents can help fund an organization working to end homelessness locally and stopping people from spending the night in the harsh winter weather.

“Every time it is cold and I go into my own house, I think, ‘It is not OK that people in our community are sleeping outside tonight,” says Emily Ball, director of community engagement at Homeward Bound of Asheville.

Today, Feb. 12, from 6-8 p.m., 10 percent of sales at the Battery Park Book Exchange Champagne Bar will go to Homeward Bound. The money raised will go to the day-to-day costs of operating the organization.

“Anytime there is an event like this or anyone gives us money, the way that I think of it is that they are really investing in the solution to homelessness,” Ball observes. “Without support, a building, electricity and all of those things, it is impossible for us to move people into housing. You’re directly contributing to the ability to solve the problem by moving folks out of shelter, and campsites and off the streets and into their own homes.”

With 482 people already housed and an 89 percent retention rate, Homeward Bound uses the housing first model. “It is going to be really difficult for you to get employment or get sober or get your mental health sorted out or get healthy while you don’t know know where you’re sleeping tonight and it is February in Western North Carolina,” Ball explains.

Once people are in homes and have a basic level of stability and safety, Ball says Homeward Bound works with the individuals to become self-sustaining.

“If there are things in your life that would prevent you from staying in housing, like a severe, untreated mental illness, that has gotten you kicked out in the past, then we want to work with you on getting connected to mental health care so that you can maintain your housing long-term,” Ball says.

In order to find grant money to get people into housing, Homeward Bound considers factors including income and likelihood someone will be self-sustaining in six months, 12 months, or if they have disabilities that may prevent them from ever being self-sufficient. They usually find out this information when people come to the A HOPE Day Center, one of the programs they run. A HOPE is Western North Carolina’s only day center for people experiencing homelessness.

“A HOPE provides basic services, showers, mail, and storage to folks,” Ball adds.  “When people come in for access to A HOPE, they are also talking to staff members and trying to figure out of these half-a-dozen avenue we have into housing people, is there one that will work for you and be a permanent solution.”

Benefit Details:
WHAT: Benefit for Homeward Bound
WHERE: Battery Park Book Exchange (1 Page Ave Asheville, NC 28801)
WHEN: February 12, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
HOW: 10 percent of sales will be donated to Homeward Bound

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

2 thoughts on “Putting housing first: Champagne bar hosts benefit today to end homelessness

  1. K

    I really wish things like this would be publicized more than 24 hours before the event happens. Concerts get no end of publicity in the weeks leading up to them but things like this, not so much. This is something I would have loved to have attended and I would have been able to do so had I known about it earlier. I wish them the best of luck tonight.

  2. K

    I really wish things like this would be publicized more than 24 hours before the event happens. Concerts get no end of publicity in the weeks leading up to them but things like this, not so much. This is something I would have loved to have attended and I would have been able to do so had I known about it earlier. I wish them the best of luck tonight.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.