Homeward Bound, a local shelter organization, served a record 1,160 individuals in 2025, and demand continues to climb in 2026, reflecting a surge in homelessness in Asheville and Buncombe County. The crisis has been exacerbated by the lingering effects of Hurricane Helene and increasing living expenses. The Asheville Buncombe Continuum of Care (CoC) reported that 130 people specifically attributed their homelessness to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Economic pressures are also significantly