Basic Needs

For resource navigation, please call 211.

These resources are provided for convenience, but the organizations/businesses have not necessarily signed our Welcoming agreement, nor have they been vetted by our staff or volunteers. If they have signed onto our Welcoming Directory, we have put a star next to their name.

For some basic needs services, there is limited choice as there are only one or two resources in the region. We are aware that, in some cases, this means that the only resources available are not welcoming, and some are outright discriminatory. We have only listed these as resources if they are the only game(s) in town. Please keep that in mind as you reach out. We are working within our capacity to change some of this landscape, but culture change takes time and resources.

  • MANNA Food Bank: 828-299-3663

    *Asheville Poverty Initiative (12 Baskets) 828-232-2149

    Bounty and Soul: (828) 419-0533

    Beloved Asheville: 828-571-0766

    Tranzmission’s Talya Mazuz Food Program and Pantry

    Meals on Wheels: 828-253-5286

    *YMCA: (828) 775-7081

    Food Stamps: (828) 250-5500

    West Asheville Really Really Free Market

    Asheville Survival Program

  • Homeward Bound 828-252-8883

    -Permanent Supported Housing (PSH)

    -Rapid Rehousing

    -Supportive Services for Veterans (PSH)

    Safe Shelter: on waitlist, referral form here

    *Haywood St. Congregation Respite 828-575-2477

    -Medical respite upon discharge from hospital

    Helpmate 828-254-0516

    -Domestic Violence Shelter

    -Domestic Violence hotel rooms (during COVID)

    Housing Authority of the City of Asheville 828-258-1222

    -Public Housing Units

    Mountain Housing Opportunities (Call Partnership Property Management @ 828-575-2323)

    -Low Income Rentals

    -Able to apply for multiple Apartments with 1 application fee $25 per applicant

    -Down payment Assistance

    -Renter Relief Fund

    -Emergency Repair Program

    VAYA Health (Contact VAYA 24/7 Access to Care Line 800-849-6127)

    -Transitions to Community Living (TCLI program) -Program promoting independent living for those living in or at risk of living in an institution. Must submit a referral @

    https://www.socialserve.com/pre_screening/ncdrst/DiversionScreeningTool.html

    -Group Homes, Assisted Family Living and Supported Apartments for those with IDD/MH diagnoses

    -Supportive Living for those with IDD-live-in caregiver options

    Eblen Charities 828-255-3066

    -Emergency Assistance program must have a child under 18 in the home

    -Rental deposits for those who are homeless

    -Back rent/mortgage bills

    *Habitat for Humanity: (828) 251-5702

    *Aura Home for Women Vets: (828) 771-6979

    Liberty Corner Enterprises 828-254-9917

    -For those with developmental disabilities

    *Council on Aging 828-277-8288

    -Minor Home Repair

    Blair Clark Respite Home (Call Sunrise Warm Line 24/7 @ 828-280-2554)

    -Mental health respite

    The following are the only shelters we are aware of in Asheville with regular openings. All are faith-based.

    Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministries 828-259-5300

    -Veteran’s Quarters 828-259-5333

    -Steadfast/Transformation Village for Women 828-259-5365

    WNC Rescue Mission 828-254-0471

    -Abbas House (Women’s Faith Based Recovery Program)

    -Patton Ave. shelter (Men, women, children shelter)

    Salvation Army 828-253-4723

  • NC Works 828-251-6200

    -For all NC residents

    Vocational Rehab 828-670-3377

    -For those with disabilities

    Community Action Opportunities 828-252-2495

    -For anyone living below the poverty line

    -Express interest here before applying

    *WNC Women’s Business Center: (828) 348-7790

    AB Tech-Workforce Development

    (828) 398-7334

    https://abtech.edu/programs/workforce/job-preparedness-hrd

    Project Search (Contact The Arc NC Asheville office @ 828-254-4771)

    -For those with developmental disabilities

    Disability Partners 828-298-1977

    -Employment Network for persons with disabilities on SSI/SSDI

  • Mountain Mobility 828-250-6750

    -For those with disabilities

    -Regular (infrequent) routes in rural areas

    *Council on Aging 828-277-8288

    -Call a Ride (volunteers)

    Reduced Bus Fares available from many nonprofits and health clinics

  • Southern Queer Survivors Network

    Advocate@lgbtqcenterofdurham.org

    Our Voice: (828) 255-7576

    Helpmate: (828) 254-0516

  • Pisgah Legal Services 1-800-489-6144 or 828-253-0406

    -Free legal assistance for low-income residents

    Legal Aide of North Carolina 866-219-5262 or online application at https://www.legalaidnc.org/get-help/apply-online

    -Free legal assistance on civil cases involving Healthy Opportunities

    Life Plan Trust, Inc. (trusts for persons with disabilities) 919-589-0017

    -Reduced cost trusts for persons with disabilities

    Drop-in Community Notary Service

    -First Wednesdays at Firestorm

  • (STEP) Skills, Training and Education Program-Economic Services (Contact DHHS @ 828-250-5500)

    -For food and nutrition services recipients

    *Literacy Council 828-254-3442

    - Support for reading and writing/obtaining GED

    Upskill WNC-AB Tech 828-398-7900

    -For individuals exiting prison

    Arthur R. Eddington Education and Career Center 828-258-1222

    -For those in public housing

    *Verner Center for Early Learning: (828) 298-0808

    Vocational Rehabilitation 828-670-3377

    -For those with disabilities

    Green Opportunities 828-398-4158

    -Culinary, Hospitality, Construction, Early Childhood Education trainings

    Goodwill 828-771-2179

    - Employment and Training programs

  • *On Track WNC 828-255-5166

    -Financial Counseling, Classes and Tax Prep

    Vocational Rehabilitation 828-670-3377

    -Work Incentives Counseling for people with disabilities

  • Health Insurance Marketplace (Affordable Care Act)

    Buncombe Medicaid: (828) 250-5500

  • LGBTQ+ Care Coordination:

    vhaashlgbtq+coordinators@va.gov

    *Aura Home for Women Vets