Asheville Council Accepted $6 Million Homelessness Grant

Local businesses may see stabilized labor pools as a new prevention program targets housing instability.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Remote Work

Asheville Council Accepted $6 Million Homelessness Grant

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Should your local government increase funding for programs that prevent residents from becoming homeless?

The Asheville City Council unanimously voted to accept a $6 million grant to implement the national Right at Home homelessness prevention program. The initiative aims to stabilize households facing unexpected financial crises that threaten their housing.

Why it matters

Rising homelessness in the city, which hit 824 individuals in 2026, impacts the local workforce and operational stability for area employers. This program seeks to prevent displacement, which currently exceeds the capacity of existing local nonprofit services.

The program will serve 250 households in its first year, part of a three-year effort that could eventually reach 700 households annually. Total funding from the partnership could scale to $10 million over the program duration.

The players

Asheville City Council

The municipal legislative body responsible for city governance and policy decisions.

Destination: Home

A San Jose-based public-private partnership that funds homelessness prevention initiatives.

Pisgah Legal Services

A regional nonprofit organization providing legal and advocacy support to low-income households.

The details

The Right at Home program provides flexible funding and specialized support, including financial planning and career development assistance. Funds will be administered by local nonprofits such as Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry, Homeward Bound, Operation Gateway, and Pisgah Legal Services to residents at risk of eviction.

2025: Baseline year for homelessness count comparison.
October 13, 2026: City Council voted to accept the grant.
October 27, 2026: Council vote scheduled on nonprofit funding recommendations.
January 2027: Local nonprofits begin administering funds to residents.

Market Landscape

Asheville is adopting the Right at Home framework, a model currently being piloted in 10 communities nationally. This move follows a documented 9% increase in local homelessness, signaling a shift toward preventative private-public funding strategies.

Business owners should monitor the program rollout in January 2027 as it may affect labor force stability in the retail and service sectors. Operators managing entry-level staff may benefit from the program's focus on career development and financial planning resources.

The takeaway

Preventing employee displacement can reduce turnover costs and strengthen the stability of the local workforce. Business operators should track the January launch date to determine if these resources can support their own employees facing housing crises.