BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — As the winds of winter sweep across western North Carolina, Asheville’s first Code Purple of the season is in effect, triggering emergency shelter operations across Buncombe County.
The 2025–2026 Code Purple plan expands cold-weather sheltering with nightly winter shelters, extended hours, and free transit to and from each site. The system activates when temperatures drop to 32 degrees or below, or when conditions fall between 33 to 40 degrees with precipitation.
At ABCCM Transformation Village, which serves women and children, seven guests stayed on Sunday night. Staff expect between 14 and 20 guests on Monday night, with a capacity of 35.
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“To have a mom say, ‘I didn’t know what I was going to do with these little ones, and they’re safe and warm now and fed,’ There’s no greater joy that comes through the tears,” said ABCCM executive director the Rev. Scott Rogers.
Rogers said this year’s plan includes new coordination among partners and free bus rides through the city’s Asheville Rides Transit (ART) bus system.
“We’re so grateful to the city transit system for giving people a ride at no charge,” Rogers said. “They’ll be dropped off by the Petco on Brevard Road, and we’ll have a van shuttling back and forth to help them if they don’t know how to get back toward Transformation Village.”
JAN. 8, 2025 – ABCCM Transformation Village. (WLOS)
For men, the Salvation Army is stepping in to fill a critical gap, adding 16 emergency beds to its 65-bed shelter each night Code Purple is called.
“With the other agency, ABCCM, already serving women and families, there was no place for men to go,” said Captain Phillip Stokes, commanding officer of the Asheville-Buncombe County Salvation Army. “Once we found that out, we had the 16 beds here. We said, yes, absolutely we would.”
Stokes said the risk on freezing nights goes beyond discomfort; it can become life-threatening.
“When you get this cold, you’re willing to do whatever,” Stokes said. “In areas without Code Purple, we’ve seen increases in crime as people try to find any place to protect themselves from the elements.”
The Code Purple plan runs through March 31, with the option to extend into April if freezing conditions persist. Operations coordinators now issue alerts 48 hours in advance, allowing shelters and outreach teams to prepare.
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“They’re somebody’s mom, they’re somebody’s brother, they’re somebody’s sister, they’re somebody’s aunt, they’re somebody’s child,” Stokes said. “Whoever it is, we just want to show them somebody does care.”
Shelter Locations
For Women:
- Safe Shelter — 27 Balm Grove (Transit: W2, W1, W6)
- ABCCM Transformation Village — 30 Olin Haven Way (Transit: W2)
For Men:
- Safe Shelter — 91 New Leicester Hwy (Transit: WE1 West)
- Salvation Army — 204 Haywood Street (Transit: W5, WE1 West, WE2 West)
Access and Hours
- Entry begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m.
- Sobriety and identification are not required for entry.
- Bus transit through ART is free to all Code Purple sites beginning at 5:20 p.m. and to downtown the following morning.
Code Purple will remain in effect as long as temperatures stay at or below freezing.
Shelters across Asheville and Buncombe County said volunteers and donations are always needed.
Contacts:
- Call Code Purple and Winter Shelter coordinators at (828) 785-4855
- Email CoC Lead Agency staff at HomelessStrategy@ashevillenc.gov
