Asheville approves nearly $73K contract with homeless service consultant

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Asheville City Council on Tuesday named a homelessness consultant.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness will help develop a plan to address problems in Asheville and Buncombe County.

According to the city of Asheville, 11 proposals were submitted for the Homeless Services consultant. A $72,974 contract with The National Alliance to End Homelessness was approved, with the contract being funded by Dogwood Health Trust.

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The city will oversee administrative and contracting efforts.

According to the organization's website, they "focuses on key areas of system and program performance including diversion, outreach, coordinated assessment and entry, emergency shelter and services, self-resolution, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, and housing subsidy."

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The Alliance is a national leader in the field of ending homelessness and brings extensive experience relevant to this project, including work in other communities in North Carolina.

Work is expected to begin next month and conclude in December 2022. Its first task: conduct a comprehensive needs assessment using data collection, analysis and interviews with stakeholders throughout the community, including people who are unsheltered, service providers, neighborhoods, and business and faith communities.