ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County commissioners will hear Tuesday about plans to provide emergency shelter during cold weather, with more funding available for the upcoming season but changes in shelter capacity.
The county’s Code Purple program, which provides overnight shelter during freezing temperatures and other severe weather, is scheduled to run Nov. 1 through April 30.
According to materials prepared for Tuesday’s commissioners briefing, the program’s budget is increasing to $376,353, up from $303,000 last year. Buncombe County and the city of Asheville have each doubled their annual contributions from $50,000 to $100,000.
But the additional funding comes as the area’s shelter capacity is changing.
County officials report that regular and winter shelter capacity has declined by 105 beds, while the number of beds available specifically for Code Purple is expected to increase by 44.
The amount paid to participating shelter providers is also increasing, from $39.15 to $75 per person per night.
That means the new budget can cover an estimated 5,018 bed nights, compared with 7,579 budgeted last season. A bed night represents shelter for one person for one night.
However, the new figure is still higher than the 4,426 bed nights actually used last season, according to county figures.
Code Purple generally is activated when temperatures or wind chills are forecast to fall below 32 degrees, or when temperatures between 33 and 40 degrees are accompanied by precipitation. Other extreme weather events also may qualify, depending on shelter capacity.
The Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care Board approved the new reimbursement rate Oct. 8, but the final Code Purple plan or operating manual has not yet been approved. The board’s next scheduled meeting is Nov. 12, nearly two weeks after the shelter season is expected to begin.
Lacy Hoyle, Buncombe County’s homelessness program manager, will update commissioners on the preparations, along with other efforts to address homelessness.
Those include federal funding changes that county officials say could reduce permanent supportive housing capacity by 25%, as well as a homelessness prevention initiative expected to provide at least $6 million to assist at least 1,000 households over three years.
Swannanoa recovery plan also on agenda
Commissioners will also get an update on a proposed plan to guide Swannanoa’s recovery and future development following Tropical Storm Helene.
The Swannanoa Small Area and Resilience Plan includes recommendations addressing flood protection, housing, development regulations, transportation and economic recovery.
County planners gathered 1,862 community member responses across six phases of public engagement. In one question about development regulations and disaster mitigation, 72% of respondents favored major changes.
The proposed plan includes stronger regulations in designated flood hazard areas, changes intended to encourage housing development and improvements to sidewalks and greenways.
Gillian Phillips and Shannon Capezzali will present the plan, which is scheduled for public hearings in November.
Pedestrian safety improvements
Another presentation will focus on a proposed pedestrian plan identifying 10 road corridors for possible sidewalk and pedestrian improvements.
The projects cover approximately 16.75 miles and include portions of Smokey Park Highway, Brevard Road, Hendersonville Road, Sweeten Creek Road, New Leicester Highway, Emma Road and other heavily traveled roads.
According to county figures, Buncombe averaged six pedestrian deaths annually from 2020 through 2024.
The plan is intended to improve safety and make it easier for residents to walk between neighborhoods, businesses, public transportation and recreational areas.
William High of the county’s Planning and Development Department will discuss the recommendations, including potential funding and future maintenance responsibilities. Commissioners are expected to consider adopting the pedestrian plan later this year.
The briefing also includes an FCC rate discussion led by Dane Pedersen. The agenda does not provide details about that item.
Tuesday’s briefing begins at 5 p.m. in the commissioners’ chambers on the third floor. The meeting will follow at 5 p.m.
