FROM: Brian Huskey, Community Development Analyst, City of Asheville
DATE: May 8, 2020
RE:  May 8 - Homeless Services Local Updates and Information 

Most recent information is reflected first.Thanks you for keeping me updated on any operational or program changes.
_______________________________________________________________

The Salvation Army (TSA) will not be operating their mobile disaster food truck after today. Otherwise, TSA Center of Hope is operating under normal business hours 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. TSA is providing crisis assistance, providing clothing vouchers, pre-packed food boxes, and financial assistance to anyone experiencing a crisis, by appointment. TSA shelter remains in isolation mode and is requiring residents to shelter in place.
_______________________________________________________________

Helpmate has opened an auxiliary shelter. To access support, including shelter, domestic violence survivors can call Helpmate's 24-hour hotline at 828-254-0516.
_______________________________________________________________

Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry has returned to its regular hours Monday thru Friday 9:00 am-3:00 pm.  They still ask clients to call for services 669-9404, preferably calling when they arrive in the parking lot.
_______________________________________________________________

Needle exchange services are now being offered 10:30 - 12:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Haywood Street Congregation meal times (Wednesdays, provided by Steady Collective and Saturdays, provided by Sunrise Peer Support, in collaboration with the Health Department).
_______________________________________________________________

WNC PPE RESOURCES
In partnership with many innovative local companies and its regional Legacy Foundations, Dogwood Health Trust is helping to source and coordinate the production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) products locally and distribute them equitably across the region. In the short term, the products will be prioritized to go to doctors, nurses and other health care staff, as well as law enforcement, paramedics / EMS, public health staff, and other key human services staff.  However, many of these local manufacturers are making these products available to nonprofit, business, and individual customers. Information is available at: https://wncready.org/ppe/

_______________________________________________________________

Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP) is continuing to operate.

 

HIV case management services are helping people living with HIV access vital resources for rent assistance, food delivery, pharmacy services, etc. Client transportation to essential medical care is being provided as needed.

Pharmacy navigation services are being provided by phone including Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and Hep C counseling.

HIV and Hep C tests are being provided by appointment only.

Syringe services program is providing full services including overdose reversal kits and safer injection supplies by pick-up in the parking lot of 554 Fairview Road, Asheville, Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm. No appointment necessary.

For information about becoming a WNCAP HIV case management client or any of their services, please email info@wncap.org or call (828) 252-7489.

_______________________________________________________________

The temporary shelter at Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville, operated by Homeward Bound in collaboration with multiple community partners, is not taking any new guests at this time.

_______________________________________________________________

HAYWOOD STREET CONGREGATION
Hours for Wed/Sat lunch are 10:30 - 1:00; Sunday breakfasts are 8:30 - 10:00. All meals are "to-go" style, with boxes being served from multiple stations around their campus. Other activities on campus remain suspended. Haywood Street Respite is currently serving a very limited number of previously unsheltered medically vulnerable guests while continuing to evaluate its future plans for referrals and admissions during the pandemic.
_______________________________________________________________

BeLoved Asheville continues to provide Street Pantries at multiple locations (restocked multiple times of the day with non-perishable foods and beverages), BeLoved Asheville Pet Restaurants (for unhoused folks' pets to eat and drink), distribution of masks, hand sanitizers and other hygiene supplies, hot meals being delivered to folks on the streets, and more. For additional information, call (828) 242-8261.
_______________________________________________________________

The RHA Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) is no longer offering 24/7/365 services.

_________________________________________________________

Steady Collective continues to operate their essential functions, with the following schedule:
Tuesdays - in front of Firestorm Books 1:30 pm - 4:00
Wednesdays - Haywood Street Congregation 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

_________________________________________________________

VA MEDICAL CENTER - The Healthcare for Homeless Veterans clinic at the VA is now triaging walk-ins by phone. If you have access to a phone, you can call at 828-298-7911 Ext 1198. With limited in-office staff, it is possible that you may need to leave a message and receive a call back. If you present in person, there will be updated instructions posted on the door for how to access screening and staff. For additional assistance, please contact Amanda Stancil, Homeless Outreach Social Worker, directly at 828-273-3266. Please also contact Amanda if you are or know of a veteran who has been turned away or unable to access shelter due to increased shelter restrictions at this time.
_________________________________________________________

ABCCM Crisis Ministry Sites normal business hours are currently Monday-Friday from 8:30AM-4:30PM. North Crisis Ministry Site hours are Monday - Friday from 10AM-2PM. At all four ABCCM Crisis Ministry sites, they continue to offer the normal services of food boxes, clothing, furniture, appliances, household goods, and financial assistance. Intakes are conducted via phone. At their Downtown site, 24 Cumberland Ave., they continue providing to-go meals Monday-Friday from 11AM-2PM.

_________________________________________________________

Homeward Bound's AHOPE Day Center is now operating only Monday-Friday, 8-12. Bathrooms, showers, mail, and storage remain available during the hours they are open.
_________________________________________________________

The ART bus system has made adjustments and reductions to its schedule on some routes.

170 - has been discontinued
S6 - has been discontinued
WE-1 - runs once each hour, leaving the station at 40 minutes past the hour.

Assessment of the transit system capacity will happen on a day-to-day basis, and be updated as the situation evolves. The City of Asheville and ART are continuing to follow the guidance of local public health officials and the CDC, including following social distancing and cleaning guidelines.

There are several ways to keep up with any ART schedule changes:

• Download the Transit app to any smartphone.

• Check real-time transit information on Google Maps.

• Dial 828-253-5691 and press #1.

• Subscribe to iRide Service Alert e-mails here.

• Go to RideTheART.com under “Service Alerts.”

_________________________________________________________

Western North Carolina Community Community Health Services is open, seeing well patients in the morning and sick patients in the afternoon. They are screening everyone at the entrance and seeing some folks outside in their cars if needed.  Dental is open for emergencies only (no routine care).
_________________________________________________________

Guidelines for how homeless services providers can connect people experiencing homelessness with available testing, isolation, and quarantine resources are available here.
_________________________________________________________

Porta-Johns are located at:

Haywood Street Congregation, 297 Haywood St.
AHOPE Day Center, 19 N. Ann St.
Western Carolina Rescue Ministries, 610 Haywood Rd.
ABCCM Medical Minstry, 155 Livingston St (River Arts District)
ABCCM Crisis Ministry (Downtown), 24 Cumberland Ave.

Handwashing stations are also located at several sites where food is being provided (ABCCM Cumberland Ave location, Haywood Street Congregation, 12 Baskets on Haywood Rd) as well as Homeward Bound's AHOPE Day Center.
 

Mapping for these locations: https://avl.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=f1282c9f87c54b609aa0b3e674226f06

_________________________________________________________
ABCCM - Veterans Restoration Quarters (VRQ) is currently unable to admit any civilians or overnighters to emergency shelter. Admissions to Grant Per Diem (GPD) beds are conducted on a case-by-case basis.
_________________________________________________________

Asheville City Schools McKinney-Vento eligible homeless families are provided meals M-F along with other support services as needed.

______________________________________________________________

BUNCOMBE COUNTY SCHOOLS

The McKinney-Vento liaison has set up home deliveries for the families that do not have transportation or for whom there is a financial hardship, delivering meals from child nutrition or providing them with food boxes if there are additional needs. Eligible families can call 828-225-4768 for assistance.
______________________________________________________________

WESTERN CAROLINA RESCUE MINISTRIES 

The shelter remains on isolation status. Those who leave will not be able to return. They continue to provide lunch and dinner outside for the general population as well as food boxes. 

______________________________________________________________

ART bus service remains fare-free. https://www.ashevillenc.gov/news/asheville-installs-social-distancing-measures-on-art-buses-during-covid-19-public-health-emergency/ There is increased cleaning of buses and the transit station.

 ______________________________________________________________

 

DAY-BY-DAY AVAILABLE FOOD AND DAY SERVICES:

WEDNESDAYS
 

AHOPE Open from 8-12 (bathrooms, showers, mail, storage)
ABBCM Downtown Crisis Ministry, hot meals to go, 24 Cumberland Ave, 11-2

HAYWOOD ST. to-go lunch from 10:30-12:00

THE MISSION bag meals for lunch and dinner

 

THURSDAYS

AHOPE open from 8-12 (bathrooms, showers, mail, storage)

THE MISSION bag meals for lunch and dinner

ABBCM Downtown Crisis Ministry, hot meals to go, 24 Cumberland Ave, 11-1

 

FRIDAYS

AHOPE open from 8-12 (bathrooms, showers, mail, storage)

12 BASKETS will offer food to-go from 11-1
ABBCM Downtown Crisis Ministry site, hot meals to-go 24 Cumberland Ave, 11-2

THE MISSION bag meals for lunch and dinner

 

SATURDAYS

HAYWOOD ST to-go lunch from 10:30-12:00
 

SUNDAYS

 

HAYWOOD ST. to-go breakfast from 8:30-10:00

CHURCH OF THE ADVOCATE to-go meals at 2:30
 

MONDAYS

AHOPE open from 8-12 (bathrooms, showers, mail, storage)

THE MISSION bag meals for lunch and dinner

ABBCM Downtown Crisis Ministry, hot meals to go, 24 Cumberland Ave, 11-2
 

TUESDAYS

AHOPE open from 8-12 (bathrooms, showers, mail, storage)

12 BASKETS will offer food to-go from 11-1

THE MISSION will offer bag meals for lunch and dinner

ABBCM Downtown Crisis Ministry, hot meals to go, 24 Cumberland Ave, 11-2