Consultant seeks community input on Asheville homelessness solutions

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The homelessness consultant working with the City of Asheville is now looking for community input. The National Alliance to End Homelessness was chosen as the consultant by the city council in May.

Dogwood Health Trust is funding the $72,974 consultant contract.

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“We have almost close to 100 interviews with people who are currently homeless and/or experiencing homelessness,” said Kristi Schulenberg of the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

Representatives from the group updated Asheville’s Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee Friday morning. Phase one of the consultant work includes a comprehensive needs assessment looking at the increase in unsheltered homelessness in Asheville. Recent data from the city’s point-in-time count shows homelessness has increased 21% since 2021.

The consultant is currently surveying agencies working with the homeless community, homeless services providers, and community members through a new online survey.

Take the Comprehensive Solutions to Unsheltered Homelessness Survey here.

“Honestly, the data on unsheltered homelessness in Asheville is not fantastic, so these qualitative interviews are really important,” Schulenberg said.

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Phase one will conclude with a report and community presentation expected in August. Phase two will include strategies and recommendations to strengthen Asheville’s response to unsheltered homelessness.

“We’re hiring three positions in our homeless strategy division,” said Emily Ball, with Asheville’s Homeless Strategy Division.

The consultant work comes at a time when Asheville’s Homeless Strategy Division is expanding. The team is now looking for three additional homeless strategy specialists.

“One will be focused on data and compliance, one focused on training and development, and one focused on integrated health and housing,” Ball said.

LEARN MORE: Understanding Unsheltered Homelessness - The City of Asheville