Asheville Reporter

The Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care is calling for volunteers to participate in the annual Point-in-Time Count, scheduled for January 28 and 29, 2025. This event involves community members working in small teams to survey individuals experiencing homelessness across Buncombe County. The data collected during this nationwide initiative informs federal funding decisions, shapes local strategies, and identifies gaps within the homeless service system.

Volunteers can register for either the evening of Tuesday, January 28th or the late morning of Wednesday, January 29th. No prior experience is needed as training will be provided before the count. A new addition this year is an optional in-person "Surveys in Practice" session where volunteers can practice administering surveys with peers.

On Tuesday, January 28th, street canvassing will begin from the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Banquet Hall at 87 Haywood Street. Volunteers are expected to gather at 3:30 p.m., with canvassing scheduled from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Teams comprising two to three volunteers will include at least one experienced member and will cover high-traffic areas and corridors of Buncombe County by foot or vehicle.

The following day, Wednesday, January 29th, activities resume from the same location with volunteers gathering at 9:30 a.m. Street canvassing continues from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., covering areas surveyed on Tuesday night. Additional information will be gathered from specific service locations including AHOPE Day Center (7:45 -11 a.m.), Haywood Street Congregation (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.), and ABCCM Crisis Ministries across multiple sites (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.). Campsite outreach will also occur at varied times under professional guidance.

The Point-in-Time Count provides demographic insights into homelessness within Buncombe County but only reflects a single night's snapshot rather than the entire population experiencing homelessness throughout the year. It includes individuals and families who are unsheltered or staying in emergency shelters and transitional housing programs per federal guidelines. This year's count also accounts for those displaced by Tropical Storm Helene.

Data collected will be compiled, deduplicated, aggregated by CoC Lead Agency Staff, and reported back to both the Continuum of Care and the wider community in early spring.

For those interested in contributing to Asheville's response to homelessness, joining the Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care is encouraged.