Asheville's network of outreach programs and initiatives provide support to the area's homeless population during the winter months. These efforts range from providing warming centers and meal services to coordinating clothing drives.
Winter Shelter Programs
Buncombe County and the city of Asheville collaborate to run Code Purple and nightly Winter Shelters, with support from nonprofit organizations. These programs offer emergency shelter during the coldest months, operating through March 31, according to program guidelines. Code Purple extends to April 30 when temperatures are forecast to reach 32°F or below, or between 33-40°F with precipitation, according to Buncombe County.
The shelters ease some typical entry requirements, such as not always requiring identification or sobriety.
Asheville Rides Transit (ART) provides free transportation to the shelters at night, according to the City of Asheville.
Safe Shelter, ABCCM, and Homeward Bound are among the organizations involved in these efforts. The nightly Winter Shelters operate from November 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, with entry between 6-8 p.m. and stays lasting until 7:30 a.m., or later on the coldest days, according to organizers. Alerts for Code Purple activations are issued via phone (828-398-6011), the county website, and social media, according to organizers.
Shelter locations include Safe Shelter (91 New Leicester Hwy for men, 27 Balm Grove for women), ABCCM Transformation Village (30 Olin Haven Way for women and women with children), Safe Shelter/Salvation Army (204 Haywood St. for men), and Homeward Bound/AHOPE (19 N. Ann St. for couples/individuals with pets), according to the City of Asheville.
Additional Support
Beyond shelter, the community provides other resources. There are calls for volunteers to assist with intake, driving, supervision, and cleaning at ABCCM, according to the organization. Safe Shelter needs meal donations and help with cleanups. Organizations also seek donations of coats, hats, gloves, blankets, and food.
Organizations such as 12 Baskets and BeLoved are listed as partners in these efforts. The Buncombe County website provides a list of homelessness resources. A Code Purple manual is available in Spanish.
Safe Shelter offers connections to housing, employment, and mental health services through peer support, walk-ins, and referrals, according to the organization.
Code Purple was activated on February 22, 2026, due to anticipated cold weather, according to county officials. The operations adapt to current conditions, and the public is encouraged to check official channels for real-time updates.