ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — As colder temperatures settle into Western North Carolina, officials in Asheville and Buncombe County are preparing to keep unhoused residents safe through the winter months.
Buncombe County announced that Code Purple season will run through April 30, 2026, providing emergency shelter when temperatures drop to 32 degrees or below, or 33-40 degrees with precipitation.
The initiative, coordinated between local governments and area shelters, ensures that additional space is available for overnight stays during dangerously cold weather or declared emergencies.
Winter Shelter sites will operate nightly through March 31, 2026, with Code Purple extending through April 30 as needed.
Shelters and Code Purple locations include:
- Safe Shelter, 91 New Leicester Highway: Winter Shelter for men, capacity 40; transit route WE1 West
- Safe Shelter, 27 Balm Grove: Winter Shelter for women, capacity 10; transit routes W2, W1, W6
- ABCCM Transformation Village, 30 Olin Haven Way: Code Purple for women and women with children, capacity 35; transit route W2
- Safe Shelter, 204 Haywood St.: Code Purple for men, capacity 16; transit routes W5, WE1 West, WE2 West
- Homeward Bound/AHOPE, 19 N. Ann St.: Code Purple for couples and individuals with pets; transit routes W6, WE1 West, WE2 West
When Code Purple is activated, Asheville Rides Transit (ART) provides free bus service to all shelter sites at night and back to downtown the following morning.
Officials said Code Purple alerts will be issued 48 hours in advance. Residents can check whether Code Purple is active by calling 828-398-6011, or by visiting the county’s website and social media pages for updates.
More information and resources are available here.
