Claymates
This spring, we’re partnering with Homeward Bound, an organization dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness in Western North Carolina. Guided by a Housing First approach, Homeward Bound prioritizes the stability of housing as a foundation—empowering individuals to build self-sufficiency and work toward their goals.
We connected with their team to learn more about their mission, their ties to the community, and a powerful story that reflects the impact of their work. Read on to get to know our newest Community Partner.
Can you tell us about Homeward Bound—your mission and how the organization got started?
Originally established in 1987 as Hospitality House of Asheville, Homeward Bound initially offered homeless services, emergency shelter and transitional housing. Over the years, our work evolved from focusing on simply addressing homelessness to ending it. In 2006, we rebranded as Homeward Bound of WNC and began offering comprehensive support to place neighbors into their own homes and provide them with the resources needed to find lasting stability.
Today, our mission is to prevent and end homelessness in our community through permanent housing and support. We offer homeless services that include our AHOPE Day Center and Outreach. We are the largest provider of permanent supportive housing in Western North Carolina to assist chronically homeless individuals with co-occurring disabilities. This program includes Compass Point Village, a renovated motel in East Asheville that is now home to 85 formerly homeless residents.
Our Homelessness Prevention and Rapid ReHousing programs help individuals and families gain self sufficiency by providing permanent housing and short-term assistance to help get them back on their feet. Our Welcome Home Donation Center uses community donations to ensure everyone moving out of homelessness is moving into a fully furnished, welcoming home. To date, Homeward Bound has ended homelessness for more than 2,760 people.
What makes Homeward Bound’s approach to ending homelessness unique? Are there ways your work differs from other models?
Our work is anchored in the Housing First model, a national best practice that offers permanent housing and supportive services without preconditions.
Unlike “Treatment First” transitional models, our approach is based on substantial evidence that people experiencing or at risk of homelessness can achieve self-sufficiency and thrive through flexibility, individualized support and client autonomy. The results of prioritizing housing include higher retention rates, reduced reliance on costly crisis services and institutions, and improved health and social outcomes for neighbors across Buncombe County. Once housed, clients receive ongoing individualized support, guidance and assistance with setting goals, which contributes to their long-term stability and helps prevent a return to homelessness.
In 2025, 92% of people in our Permanent Supportive Housing program remained stably housed and did not return to homelessness.
What role do landlords, businesses, and volunteers play in making your work possible?
Landlords, businesses and volunteers all play an essential role in making our work possible.
Many of the people we serve in Permanent Supportive Housing, Rapid Rehousing, and Supportive Services for Veteran Families programs are housed in units owned by private landlords and property managers. At a time when our country and local Asheville area is facing an affordable housing crisis, landlords who are willing to rent at fair market rates and work with tenants who may have rental barriers are critical partners in expanding access to housing and connecting people to their own communities. Housing Specialists work directly with landlords to assist them with tenant and property management.
Business partners are another key player in our work. Business owners are part of our local community, and their support of our mission is a direct investment in that community. For Homeward Bound, our annual and event sponsors help promote and fund luncheons, concerts and other events that raise critical support for our work. They're also incredibly helpful in sharing our work with their customers, staff and partners.
Volunteers are the glue between our programs. At the AHOPE Day Center, they help serve meals, sort mail and maintain essential spaces like showers and restrooms. At the Welcome Home Donation Center, they build move-in kits, organize household goods and assist with move-ins. Their presence helps create a welcoming, supportive environment for everyone who walks through our doors.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’re facing right now? And are there common misconceptions people have about your work or about homelessness in general?
One of the most pressing challenges we face in Asheville and Buncombe County is the shortage of affordable housing. There’s a common misconception that homelessness here is primarily driven by mental illness or substance use disorder. While we do serve individuals experiencing these challenges, we know that homelessness is, at its core, a housing issue.
Asheville has the highest costs of living in North Carolina. Housing, utilities and transportation expenses continue to outpace wages in our region’s largest industries, including healthcare, hospitality and tourism. These sectors were also among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Helene, increasing financial strain for many households.
Every day, we work with individuals and families who were already living on the edge of housing stability. When an additional crisis occurs—especially in a community with limited resources—the result is a level of housing instability in Western North Carolina that we have not seen before.
That is why, over the past year, we have expanded our Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing programs—to meet the growing need and help more people remain safely housed.
Is there a story or experience that really sticks with you? Something that reminds you why this work matters?
Last year, we shared the story of John, a blue-collar dad who feels like he's been given a second chance at life. John became homeless after developing an addiction to fentanyl and methamphetamine at 30 years old. He was incarcerated on a felony change and was facing losing custody of his two sons. While in prison, he decided that his children were more important to him than anything.
Once released, John began visiting the AHOPE Day Center, checking in with Homeward Bound staff to receive assistance with housing and basic resources. He desperately needed a fresh start, but faced significant barriers to housing and employment because of his record. A year and a half later, John was approved to live at Homeward Bound's Compass Point Village. Soon, everything began to fall in place for him. He had a home he could take pride in, and most importantly, this was the stepping stone he needed to focus on his goals.
Today, John has graduated from Compass Point Village and lives in a new townhome where his sons have their own room. They spend every weekend together. I had the opportunity to visit John’s home, and it was a joy to see the aftermath of a movie night—a projector set up, toys left around, and John smiling and laughing every time he mentioned them. It reminds me that everyone deserves a second chance.
“They allowed me to come and tell them what I wanted to accomplish, and they gave me ways to accomplish it,” shared John. “Once people get into houses, they can start focusing on what they need to focus on. It’s just one thing after another. First is the house, then the job, then whatever else comes after that. People have different goals, but I noticed that once you get housing, it’s easier to reach your goals. Everything else is like a puzzle after that; it just fits in perfectly. I’m living proof of it. If it wasn’t for Compass Point Village, my puzzle pieces would still be scattered.”
Visit HomewardBoundWNC.org to learn more about their work.
