Asheville News

Asheville Street Sentinel: A-Hope kept people out in the cold

Jason Sandford January 25, 2011

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

From a recent posting on the Asheville Street Sentinel, an online blog that’s an advocate for local homeless people:

Background: “Code Purple” is the term City of Asheville Planning & Development Department – Community Development Division – Homeless Initiative came up with for allowing shelters to waive normal occupancy limits when it’s “below 32° (or the equivalent with the wind chill factor).” This December 9th, 2010 announcement also said “Shelters offering Code Purple services include: […] A-Hope […]”

I got off the bus today at 8:25 am. The sign on a bank we passed said it was 31°. I was expecting to be able to go in A-Hope and get out of the weather. There was a chilly wind (so the effect on the body was colder than 31° – the “wind chill” was colder), and a fresh dusting of snow on the ground. I came in back to sign in, and a staff member said “we’re full.” (Meaning they are signing 50 people in each hour, rather than being open – “Code Purple” – where everyone can come in anytime.) I said “it’s 31°.” Then Heather Spencer, the Director, came out and said “it’s not Code Purple.” I went outside to wait until 9:00 am to sign in. What did Heather mean, it’ above 32°? A staff member came outside and I asked him where the outdoor thermometer was, that I wanted to read it myself, and he said they didn’t have one. So how do they know if it’s below freezing? (Figuring out the wind chill is harder…)

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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4 Comments

Heather D Spencer, Director A HOPE Day Center January 26, 2011

Homeward Bound's A HOPE Day Center is a part of a city-wide initiative called Code Purple. On Code Purple days, we allow individuals to stay inside during our day center operation hours – 7 a.m. – Noon. Our regular policy is one hour/person each day due to the high numbers of individuals who access our services (approximately 175-200 different people each day). Staff use ashevilleweather.com as a guide for temperature. It was determined Monday that it was not below 32 degrees and the day was warming as time went on. At any temperature, it is difficult to have to be outside all day and we do our best to work with the other agencies offering direct services to homeless persons to offer shelter and safety. We will continue to do so.
Our mission is to end the cycle of homelessness in Asheville, and we work as hard as we can to help each person who accesses our services move to a more stable environment. In 2010, we assisted 203 individuals move from homelessness to housing. We hope to see that number be even higher in 2011.

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Homeless not the problem.. January 25, 2011

HeadShaker: Homelessness is an issue that needs to be taken care of. Resources are poured into shelters full of Transients and therefore the real homeless suffer.

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HeadShaker January 25, 2011

Lemme guess 'homeless not the problem'…you consider yourself a 'christian', dontcha?

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Homeless not the problem.. January 25, 2011

For the guy complaining about the cold. Florida is warmer, start walking.

The problem with Asheville is they have a problem with labels. 90%, no 95% of the folks in the shelters, yes all of them, are TRANSIENTS. Yes folks, they are not Homeless, they just choose to be. It is easy in this town for them to find free room and shelter and as long as this is the case we will have this huge issue and they'll keep coming.

We need to help our own not some TRANSIENTS that thumbed it here from Charlotte or Atlanta for a good meal and bed. The real HOMELESS are families down on their luck because of the economy. Those are the ones that need help.

If the TRANSIENTS can't prove they're from here we need to make it very uncomfortable for them by sending them on their way. Then we will have the time to concentrate all of our resources on the people that need and deserve it.

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