A Comprehensive Guide to WNC Cold Weather Shelters
By Marge | Published 2025-12-29T19:21:08+00:00
News
When the winter winds whip through the Blue Ridge and temperatures plummet across our mountain hollows, finding a warm place to stay becomes a matter of life and death. Western North Carolina faces unique challenges during the freeze, requiring a community-wide effort to ensure no one is left out in the cold. While Asheville often serves as a central hub for services, there is a vast network of dedicated "Code Purple" sites and emergency shelters spanning our rural counties. To help keep our neighbors safe and informed, we have compiled a regional directory of resources available for those seeking refuge from the sub-freezing temperatures this season.
Asheville (Code Purple) and Buncombe County Nightly Winter Shelters (Open every night)Safe Shelter (Men): 91 New Leicester Hwy (Transit route: WE1 West)Safe Shelter (Women): 27 Balm Grove Ave (Transit routes: W1, W2, W6)Code Purple Overflow Sites (Activated during extreme cold)Salvation Army (Men): 204 Haywood Street (Transit routes: W5, WE1 West, WE2 West)ABCCM Transformation Village (Women/Children): 30 Olin Haven Way (Transit route: W2)Homeward Bound – AHOPE (Couples & People with Pets):