From Staff Reports

The completion of the conversion of the former Days Inn along Tunnel Road in East Asheville — to permanent housing for the homeless — was celebrated recently by some area officials.

Specifically,  in a ceremony on Sept. 15,  they shoveled dirt into the base of a recently planted tree in the newly landscaped courtyard at the opening celebration of Compass Point Village.  

Among those wielding shovels were Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, Buncombe County Commissioner Amanda Edwards and Homeward Bound interim director David Nash. 

On Sept. 15, in addition to the ceremonial tree-planting, Homeward Bound unveiled Compass Point Village to the public, allowing self-guided tours of the development. 

“During the 2023 point-in-time count, 573 people were homeless,” the Asheville Citizen Times reported on Sept. 22., citing Jenny Moffatt, Homeward Bound’s permanent supportive housing director. “Of those, 122 were chronically homeless.”

The newspaper report added, “Now, over the next six-to-eight weeks, 87 chronically homeless individuals will be able to find home at Compass Point:”

The ACT quoted Moffatt as saying the following:

“Ultimately, this is how we end homelessness — we create more housing.... more deeply affordable housing for people who need this kind of support. This project will house over half of the people who are outside and chronically homeless in our community... It really will change the landscape of our community.”

The ACT also reported, “The project represents a step forward for the community, but — more importantly – acts as a place of safety, said Homeless Bound Interim Executive Director David Nash.”