Code Purple in effect for Buncombe County and Asheville for Nov. 13-14

Two area shelters will be open both nights for those seeking shelter

Asheville's 828 News NOW828NewsNowHomeward Bound: Center of Hope, located at 204 Haywood St., is one of the Code Purple shelters in Asheville.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828NewsNow) — With temperatures expected to drop into the low 30s on the night of Nov. 13 and then below freezing on the night of Nov. 14, the Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care, in partnership with Buncombe County Gorvernment and the City of Asheville, has declared both days as Code Purple days.

The City of Asheville, and Buncombe County Government made the announcement in the early-morning hours of Nov. 13.

“Code Purple will be in effect on November 13 and 14, 2026. This means emergency overnight shelter is available in Asheville for people who need a safe place to stay during dangerously cold weather,” the City of Asheville said in a social media post.

Bus transport through ART is free to all sites at night and to downtown the following morning, the city said.

Code Purple goes into effect when temperatures are 32 degrees or lower. The forecast for Nov. 13 calls for a low of 32 degrees at night, and for Nov. 14, the low is expected to be around 28, according to the National Weather Service.

The following shelters will be open both days for those seeking shelter:

For women and women with children: ABCCM Transformation Village, 30 Olin Haven Way (ART Transit Route: W2)
For men, couples, and people with pets: Homeward Bound: Center of Hope, 204 Haywood St. (ART Transit Routes: W6, WE1 West, WE2 West

Check-in at both sites begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. No ID or sobriety is required for entry. For anyone arriving after 8 p.m., entry must be arranged through public safety or outreach staff.

Buncombe County Community Paramedics and the Asheville Fire Department’s Resource and Engagement Support Team will be available to provide transportation for people who are unable to access bus transit. The county said Mission Hospital will facilitate taxi service to Code Purple sites for people being discharged from the hospital. Discharge staff will contact shelter staff for coordination.

ABCCM will facilitate shuttle service to/from the transit stop closest to Transformation Village, the county’s website said.

More information is available by contacting the Code Purple Coordinator at 828-442-7597 or the Continuum of Care Lead Agency Staff at HomelessStrategy@ashevillenc.gov.