Asheville -- November 12, 2026:As temperatures begin to dip across Western North Carolina, the Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care (CoC) has officially initiated the 2026–27 Code Purple emergency shelter season.
Running from November 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027, Code Purple is a coordinated community response designed to provide low-barrier overnight shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness when winter weather turns dangerous.
When Code Purple is Activated Code Purple is typically called 48 hours in advance when the National Weather Service forecasts life-threatening cold or wintry conditions, including:
Temperatures or wind chills of 32°F or below.
Temperatures between 33°F and 40°F accompanied by precipitation such as rain, sleet, or snow.
Other severe winter weather emergencies.
During Code Purple nights, participating shelters waive standard entry requirements—such as identification or background checks—to ensure immediate access to warmth and safety, provided guests maintain safe, non-threatening behavior. severe winter weather emergencies.
2026–27 Shelter Locations & Expanded Capacity This season features a major operational shift in downtown Asheville. Following the Salvation Army's pause of its regular Center of Hope shelter operations, Homeward Bound stepped in through a facility partnership to operate Code Purple out of the Haywood Street building, expanding its winter emergency capacity from 20 beds to 90 beds. Over the course of the season, Homeward Bound expects to provide an estimated 7,200 bed stays for more than 150 individuals.
Primary 2026–27 Code Purple sites include:
ABCCM Transformation Village (30 Olin Haven Way): Serving women and women with children.
Homeward Bound at the Salvation Army Center of Hope (204 Haywood St.): Serving men, couples, and individuals with pets.
Free Transportation and Community Alerts To ensure unhoused neighbors can reach shelter safely when Code Purple is active, Asheville Rides Transit (ART) provides free bus fare to shelter locations in the evening and back to downtown the following morning. Riders simply need to let their driver know they are traveling to or from a Code Purple shelter. Additional transport support is coordinated through Community Paramedics, the Asheville Fire Department’s REST team, and an ABCCM shuttle operating from Asheville Outlet Mall (Stop 877).
Community members, outreach workers, and those seeking shelter can check whether Code Purple has been activated at any time by calling the recorded hotline at 828-398-6011 or contacting CoC Lead Agency staff at 828-785-4855. Those looking to support the effort with financial contributions can donate through the CoC’s fiscal agent, Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina.