ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A Buncombe County organization that helps people escape domestic violence is preparing to more than double its emergency shelter capacity, with a local moving company stepping in to help make the transition.
Helpmate’s new shelter, Joy’s House, will have 43 beds, up from 20 at its current facility. The 23,000-square-foot building is designed to provide more privacy, accessibility and space for survivors and their children.
The additional room is badly needed.
Over the past year, Helpmate provided approximately 7,329 nights of emergency shelter but was unable to accommodate another 435 families because of limited space, according to the organization. Helpmate also says nine out of 10 survivors who stayed at its shelter during that period were assessed as being at extreme risk of homicide.
College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving of Asheville is covering the full cost of relocating the shelter as part of its nationwide Safe Moves initiative during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“Expanding our shelter means we can provide a safe place for more survivors taking the difficult step of leaving an abusive situation,” Helpmate Executive Director April Burgess-Johnson said in a news release.
“Having College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving cover the cost of this move is an incredible help, allowing us to focus our resources on the survivors we serve and the support they need as they work toward a safer future.”
The new shelter will have 25 efficiency suites of varying sizes to accommodate individuals and families. It will also include shared kitchens, a dining area, a support group meeting room and indoor and outdoor play areas for children.
Unlike the existing shelter, which has one large shared kitchen, Joy’s House will offer smaller kitchens that provide residents with more privacy. ADA-compliant rooms and an elevator will make the building more accessible to survivors with disabilities.
The approximately $16 million project broke ground in April 2024 after Helpmate determined that renovating and expanding its aging shelter would be too expensive. The organization recently announced it had reached its fundraising goal.
Joy’s House is named for Joy Henderson, Helpmate’s former shelter director, who retired in 2025 after 30 years with the organization. During that time, she worked with thousands of survivors and their children.
For Anne Smith, owner of College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving of Asheville, helping with the relocation is about removing one more obstacle for people seeking safety.
“Leaving an abusive situation is incredibly complicated, and the physical move should not be another barrier to safety,” Smith said.
The company’s Safe Moves program began during the COVID-19 pandemic and provides moving assistance to domestic violence survivors through partnerships with shelters and nonprofit organizations.
Beyond emergency shelter, Helpmate provides free, confidential services that include a 24-hour crisis hotline, counseling, safety planning, court advocacy, housing assistance and support for children.
The organization also works with survivors through the Buncombe County Family Justice Center, where services are available without an appointment during weekday business hours.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence can contact Helpmate’s 24-hour crisis hotline at 828-254-0516. More information about its services is available here.