DARN Downtown Asheville Residential Neighbors
phone: 828 225 2959
Amy Sawyer, homeless coordinator for the city, would like to set the record straight about three misconceptions:
1. There are more homeless in downtown Asheville than in other cities of its size.
2. The homeless problem is growing.
3. Panhandlers come from the homeless population.
While the reasons for homelessness are complicated, certain facts are true nationwide about the homeless population and they apply to Asheville as well, says Amy.
1. Asheville has no more homeless than the average city its size.
2. The homeless situation grows in cities in proportion to the general population growth.
3. Only a small proportion of the homeless are panhandlers.
Whether or not they're from the homeless population, panhandlers are a problem, many downtown residents say, and they seem to have become increasingly aggressive. There's a solution, says Amy, and she's in complete agreement with the Asheville Downtown Association's campaign to encourage giving "Spare Change for Real Change." Last year ADA posted boxes at strategic corners so visitors and residents could deposit change that will go to alleviate homeless problems.
While it's natural to want to help others less fortunate than yourself when they ask for money on the street, you may very well be hurting them. It they need food, clothing and shelter, there are places to provide these essentials in Asheville. Your money is often used for alcohol and drugs and thus enables the panhandler to continue a lifestyle that is detrimental to his or her mental and physical health and to society in general.
In Asheville, there's always a place to get food, says Amy, and there's a day center where anyone in need can connect with social workers to find shelters or, eventually, housing. Taking the proper steps and following the rules to receive assistance "is not easy, but we wouldn't want it to be a piece of cake." Shelters require sobriety and adherence to restricted hours.
There are three housing shelters in Asheville. ABCCM runs a shelter for veterans and Steadfast House for women and children, the Salvation Army runs a shelter for individuals and families (as well as prison re-entry housing), and Western Carolina Rescue Ministries runs a shelter for women and children (also in emergency, for men).
Government subsidized housing vouchers are available for persons who must pay more than 30 percent of their incomes for housing, and public housing--which Amy readily admits, has its own problems-is another alternative.
The homeless problem-many who are homeless have mental health needs-is best left to professionals such as Amy. She has an undergraduate degree in social work and a master's degree with an emphasis on human development and the development of families and individuals within societies.
But the rest of us can help by supporting government housing programs and by aiding non-profit shelters. The best way to ward off "chronic" homelessness, says Amy, is through programs to keep individuals in their own housing rather than on the streets and in emergency shelters. And the best way to discourage panhandling is to say no. This spring, as visitors return in larger numbers, the ADA will launch a renewed campaign to discourage panhandling. Tell your visiting friends about "Spare Change for Real Change" so their donated funds may help those in real need by supporting shelter and housing programs.
Ironically, Asheville's quirky character we want to preserve could be one of the draws for the element we don't want to preserve. "The keep Asheville weird vibe is an attraction to those who want to hang out" and who may also become panhandlers, says Amy.
Key links for downtown Asheville
DARNDARN Steering Committee:
co-chair Larry Holt
co-chair Trina Mullen
Al Long
Nancy Long
Sally Kammann
Mary Ann West
Cynthia Barrager
Asheville City Council:
Mayor Terry Bellamy
Vice-Mayor: Jan Davis
Brownie Newman
Bill Russell
Neighborhood Coordinator
Marsha Stickford
Community Resource Officer, Asheville Police Department
Officer Jackie Stepp
828-251-4078
Police direct number
828 252-1110
WHO,What, Where and When?.... some useful links for downtown residents.
City of Asheville
Asheville Downtown Association
Asheville Citizen Times
Mountain Xpress
for more see resources
Notes on past DARN meetings in archives
for full links to arts/music/theatre and more see walk on over
MISSION: The objective and primary purpose of DARN is to serve as the point where residents of the Central Business District connect to each other and the community, and to give strength to their voice in neighborhood issues.
*click here for complete By Laws