Asheville, Buncombe clinch $2.1M in annual HUD funding to combat homelessness

Sarah Honosky, Asheville Citizen Times
Updated ·3 min read

ASHEVILLE - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $3.16 billion in Continuum of Care program awards for over 7,000 projects targeting homelessness nationwide, including $39.87 million for North Carolina.

Of this, the Asheville-Buncombe County Continuum of Care clinched $2.13 million. This is the highest amount they've ever received.

Among the awarded projects is funding for Homeward Bound's permanent supportive housing programs and housing support for domestic violence survivors through Helpmate.

Sean Alcock, who is homeless, stands in the middle of Patton Ave. asking for help from motorists August 4, 2023.
Sean Alcock, who is homeless, stands in the middle of Patton Ave. asking for help from motorists August 4, 2023.

The Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee — currently the CoC's governing board, though that structure is undergoing a significant overhaul — approved its funding application in September, with Tier 1 applications totaling $1.73 million. According to a Sept. 26 staff report, all project applications totaled $2.17 million.

HIAC invites applications from area organizations and its funding work group reviews and makes recommendations to the full board. After HIAC approves the recommendations, applications are then submitted to HUD, which reviews applications, makes awards and contracts directly with funded agencies.

All but two of the projects applied for by HIAC received funding. In the case of projects that include rental assistance, amounts awarded were higher than those applied for to compensate for Fair Market Rent increases.

The newest allocations — many of which are renewals of existing funding operations — will see numerous organizations receive tens of thousands of dollars to address homelessness.

The largest individual award, in the amount of $511,396, went to Homeward Bound's Shelter Plus Care program, which "provides a variety of permanent housing choices, accompanied by a range of supportive services funded through other sources," according to HUD.

"This is important funding to pay rent and provide case management to some of our most vulnerable community members, people fleeing domestic violence and people who've been chronically homeless," Emily Ball, manager of the city's Homeless Strategy Division, told the Citizen Times Jan. 30.

"As we restructure the CoC and build it out to be more comprehensive and inclusive, I hope we see this annual funding increase, since awards are directly related to how well our overall CoC is performing."

Nicholas Poulos, left, and Chloe Donohoe, grab packs of hand warmers and feminine products for unhoused individuals before volunteering for the annual point in time count in Asheville, January 30, 2024.
Nicholas Poulos, left, and Chloe Donohoe, grab packs of hand warmers and feminine products for unhoused individuals before volunteering for the annual point in time count in Asheville, January 30, 2024.

The city is the lead agency for the area's CoC, a planning body of people who work together to build and oversee a coordinated response to homelessness. It's a framework overseen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It's also necessary to become eligible for certain federal dollars, such as a the CoC program awards.

“Now, more than ever, we are doing all we can to get people off the street and into permanent homes with access to services. That is why we are making sure the service providers on the frontlines of this crisis have the resources they need,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge in a Jan. 29 news release.

In order to receive CoC program funding, localities must conduct an annual point-in-time count of their homeless populations. Asheville's 2024 count was held this year on the evening of Jan. 30 and in the late morning Jan. 31.

More: Asheville, Buncombe annual homeless count draws record number of volunteers

Who received the money?

  • Bridge to Recovery, Homeward Bound: $495,645

  • CoC planning grant, City of Asheville: $92,836

  • Housing Support for Domestic Violence Survivors, Helpmate: $207,734

  • Housing Support for Domestic Violence Survivors 2, Helpmate: $90,075

  • CoC HMIS Fiscal Year 2023: $63,744

  • Permanent Supportive Housing 1, Homeward Bound: $330,242

  • Permanent Supportive Housing 2, Homeward Bound: $99,617

  • Permanent Supportive Housing 5, Homeward Bound: $242,413

  • Shelter Plus Care, Homeward Bound: $511,396

  • Total: $2.13 million

More: 'Rising rates' of homelessness? Chuck Edwards hosts summit in Asheville

More: Asheville, Buncombe getting $1.8M in annual HUD funding to combat homelessness

Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: $2.1M in federal homelessness funding coming to Asheville, Buncombe