Asheville Launches 2026-27 Code Purple Shelter Season
The Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care opened emergency winter shelter sites as an unusually cold air mass approaches the mountains.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Safety
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The Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care initiated the 2026-27 Code Purple Emergency Shelter season, providing winter shelter for people experiencing homelessness. An unusually cold air mass is expected to arrive in the mountains on Friday and Saturday.
Why it matters
Code Purple sites give people experiencing homelessness a place to stay during dangerous cold, which is especially important as the cold air mass brings feels-like temperatures in the 10s and 20s. Accumulating snow is also possible in the western mountains and at higher elevations.
The figures come from a forecast projection of cold air and gusty winds, with feels-like temperatures in the 10s and 20s Fahrenheit. The exact snowfall totals and the timing within Friday and Saturday remain unspecified.
The players
Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care
The regional coordinating body that organizes homelessness services and emergency shelter across Asheville and Buncombe County.
Salvation Army Center of Hope
A long-established Salvation Army facility in Asheville that hosts the Homeward Bound shelter program.
The details
Code Purple is a community initiative that provides emergency shelter during cold or wintry weather. Primary sites are ABCCM Transformation Village, which serves women and women with children, and Homeward Bound at the Salvation Army's Center of Hope, which serves men, couples and people with pets; Safe Shelter activates when those sites are full, and Haywood Street Respite accepts referrals for people with complex needs.
Timeline
November 12, 2026: Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care announced the 2026-27 Code Purple season start.
Friday and Saturday following publication: An unusually cold air mass is expected to arrive in the mountains.
Seasonal Patterns
The 2026-27 Code Purple activation follows Asheville's annual cold-weather shelter cycle, opening ahead of an unusually cold air mass for the mountains. The timing places this season's shelter capacity directly against an early seasonal cold snap rather than a routine winter peak.
Residents experiencing homelessness can seek Code Purple shelter at ABCCM Transformation Village or Homeward Bound during the forecast cold. Community members who want to support the program can donate through the Continuum of Care's fiscal agent, Goodwill of NWNC.
The takeaway
Cold-weather shelter capacity matters most when weather arrives early, so checking site availability before a forecast cold snap can make a difference. Donations through Goodwill of NWNC help sustain the season's operations.
Further reading
For more on preparing for dangerous conditions, see Safety coverage for Asheville.
Live Poll
Do you think your community is doing enough to shelter people during cold weather?
