Last week, the U.S. Conference of Mayors released an in-depth report examining the hunger and homelessness situations in 25 cities across the country, including Asheville. The report found that the city has serious issues with low wages, unaffordable housing, poverty, and the number of domestic violence survivors who end up homeless. Increases in homelessness are modest, but more families are homeless. The report also highlighted some local organizations doing “exemplary” work on the issues but predicted that coming social service cuts could make the situations on both fronts more dire.
Tag: homelessness
Showing 106-126 of 148 results
City holding summit on downtown Asheville issues Oct. 21
A meeting originally scheduled between the Asheville Downtown Association, city of Asheville staff and Council members is now a “downtown summit” in Pack Library at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, with the public invited to attend and weigh in on the issues affecting the area.
Asheville City Council: more agriculture, a festival search, and downtown crime
At tonight’s meeting, Asheville City Council approved new rules allowing urban farming and produce sales throughout the city. Council also approved starting the search for a summer event to replace Bele Chere. On a less optimistic note, the public and city officials discussed increasing issues of crime, policing and homelessness in Asheville’s core.
Homeless, nonprofits, APD vie over downtown policing
At a meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 18, city of Asheville staff and police officers met with homeless activists and local nonprofit representatives to discuss a new law enforcement approach that focuses on more arrests in the city’s downtown. Responses varied, ranging from concerns about the impacts of a failing system to criticisms of the Asheville Police Department’s new strategy.
Buncombe Commissioners preview: Crunch time
After months of debate, commissioners are set to finalize the Buncombe County budget when they meet Tuesday, June 25.
From homelessness to hope: UPDATE
Last year Xpress profiled Patrick Littlejohn, a formerly homeless composer who pulled himself out of poverty through music. He recently received a full scholarship to the Practical Schillinger School of Music.
Photos by Rich Orris.
No place like home: Child Watch Tour emphasizes need for affordable housing
Where a child or adult lives in Buncombe County may tell more about their location in life than a physical address ever could, according to locals who shared their experiences at Asheville’s May 10 Child Watch Tour. (Graphic by Nathanael Roney)
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.
APD investigating horrific Tunnel Road traffic fatality
The Asheville Police Department has released more information about the horrific traffic accident on Tunnel Road yesterday evening that took the life of Dean Bush, 45. A homeless man, he was struck by several vehicles and dragged several miles. The APD is still investigating the case.
Pipe dream come true
For years, people living near the contaminated former CTS of Asheville site have asked to be placed on city water. Extremely high levels of trichloroethylene, a known carcinogen, have repeatedly been found in some Mills Gap residents’ wells. On Sept. 25, Asheville City Council unanimously approved extending water lines to all 129 households within a mile of the site.
Council approves city water for residents near former CTS site
Asheville City Council members approved extending city water to residents near the contaminated former CTS of Asheville site at their Sept. 25 meeting.
Asheville’s plan to end homelessness is working
An April 16 mountainx.com story included photos from the Asheville Homeless Network’s visit to Mayor Bellamy’s office, where they were able to share their views with city staff about homelessness and housing in our community [“Asheville Street People Claim … Harrassment”]. At Homeward Bound, we’re grateful to be part of a community with leadership that’s […]
Asheville street people claim stepped up police harrassment of homeless
Several men who were summonsed for 2nd degree trespassing at the Basilica of St. Lawrence this week are among many who claim APD is cracking down on the homeless downtown.
(photo by Bill Rhodes)
Executive director of ABCCM to speak in D.C. about local success with helping homeless veterans
Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry executive director, Reverend Scott Rogers, will speak before the Senate sub-committee on Veterans Affairs today at 10 a.m. alongside the national coalition of homeless veterans, to share their principles and practices that are producing local outcomes above the national average.
The “ironey” is lost on me
I am highly offended by your cartoon that shows someone in a green hat, and brown pants, and who is a photographer [“Brent Brown: Ironey the Iron,” Nov. 16 Xpress]. I walk these streets all day wearing about the same outfit, taking pictures. I would hate to assume that this is supposed to be a […]
Brent Brown responds
The cartoon of the photographer who’s forced into homelessness despite, ironically, being the best in his profession, was not based on you. Rather, the cartoon alludes to a Nov. 2 entry on the Ashvegas blog about local photographer Micah Mackenzie, who posted on Facebook of his struggle to survive in Asheville (ironically after just having […]
JourneyAsheville: Building relationships with Asheville’s homeless
On Monday, July 4, a group of teenagers were handing out bowls of ice cream in Pritchard Park. Nothing unusual, really. There’s always something being given away to eat in the park. But I got to talking with one of the teenagers and was directed to Nichole, who filled me in on what was going on. It’s the work of the Carolina Cross Connection, a youth Christian outreach project.
Photos by Jerry Nelson, JourneyAmerica.org
What happened to Pack Memorial Library?
When did Pack Memorial Library become a daytime shelter for ex-cons and strung-out drug abusers? Surely, a diverse mix is wonderful and an Asheville tradition, but this is nothing like that. There is no mix of children and everyday families and business people there. All I ever see, daily, are downtrodden, strung-out and scary-looking thugs […]
JourneyAsheville: Homeless Building Homes
Each month, Brian Combs takes volunteers out to Habitat for Humanity homesites. What makes this special? These volunteers are homeless.
Photos by Jerry Nelson
Summit hopes to bring homelessness home
Local agencies are making progress towards implementing the “10-year Plan to End Homelessness,” but they need more resources and support. That was the theme that emerged from the “2011 Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Summit,” held March 25 at the Masonic Temple in downtown Asheville.
Photos by Jerry Nelson
Dead homeless man found in French Broad River ***UPDATED 12:30 p.m. Tuesday***
On July 3, Asheville Police Department detectives found the body of Nolan Trent Baker, 55, a homeless man, in the French Broad River. Police are investigating the death, but so far have found no signs of foul play and preliminary autopsy results point to natural causes.