College HUNKS Moves Asheville Shelter to Boost Capacity

A donation of moving services helps the local domestic violence nonprofit Helpmate more than double its total shelter capacity.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Sex Crimes

College HUNKS Moves Asheville Shelter to Boost Capacity

College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving relocated the Helpmate domestic violence shelter in Asheville at no cost as part of the Safe Moves initiative. The expansion will allow the organization to support more survivors fleeing violence in the area.

Why it matters

Helpmate previously turned away hundreds of families annually due to limited space, and this relocation allows the nonprofit to redirect its limited budget toward direct survivor support instead of moving expenses.

Helpmate previously operated with a 20-bed capacity, which limited the organization to serving 200 individuals from 150 families each year. The new facility more than doubles that capacity, addressing the 300 families that were historically turned away.

The players

Helpmate

This Asheville-based nonprofit organization provides critical safety services and shelter to victims of domestic violence in Buncombe County.

College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving

This national moving and junk removal company operates a philanthropic initiative called Safe Moves to assist individuals and nonprofits in need.

The details

The relocation was carried out as part of the Safe Moves program, an initiative created by the moving company to support those in crisis. The move is vital for residents, as 91 percent of those staying at the shelter are at extreme risk of domestic violence homicide.

The Safe Moves program was established by College HUNKS in 2020.
The shelter relocation occurred in October 2026 during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Legal Context

This effort follows a pattern set by local nonprofits seeking to bridge service gaps identified under the Violence Against Women Act grant funding parameters. The relocation marks a departure from traditional state-funded expansion models by utilizing corporate logistics partnerships.

The shelter's increased capacity directly improves the safety of residents by ensuring fewer families are turned away during life-threatening situations. Residents in Buncombe County now have greater access to emergency housing if they are at risk of violence.

The takeaway

Reliable access to emergency shelter is the primary factor in reducing the homicide risk for domestic violence survivors in the region. Local residents can support these efforts by donating to organizations that provide essential housing and safety planning.