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Local shelter group asks Ashe County for property or lease to house people during cold weather
Summary
Hope Through A Vision asked the Ashe County Board of Commissioners to help secure property or lease arrangements for a small shelter, saying the group helped 171 people over five years but lacks funding and needs municipal utilities and zoning clarity to proceed.
Michael Barr, founder and president of Hope Through A Vision, asked the Ashe County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 1 for county support to house people who lack shelter during cold weather.
"We are trying our best to do what we can to help those out there in the cold," Barr said, describing reliance on donations, church support and fundraisers. He told commissioners the group has assisted 171 people over the past five years and has spent "almost $76,000," but cannot keep up with demand as winter approaches.
The presenters, joined by CEO Jim Parsons, described a pictured modular building that would provide about 12 individual rooms with locks, a small kitchen and laundry facilities. Barr and Parsons said the structure shown was a shell that is not insulated, wired or plumbed and that a concrete pad and utilities would be needed.
County leaders pressed for practical details. The chair asked whether the building sits on a concrete pad and who would provide sewer and water; Barr said the group hopes to secure city water and sewer and asked whether the county might lease property to them. Barr also said local motel support can be used temporarily; presenters said they negotiate discounted motel rates of about $70 per night.
Commissioners identified two near-term hurdles: municipal zoning and public utilities. The chair advised the group to start discussions with the towns that manage zoning and utilities and suggested county-owned property inside town limits is limited. Multiple commissioners expressed sympathy and support for exploring solutions; one commissioner said he wanted a local homeless shelter in Ashe County and indicated willingness to back the effort.
The presenters asked the board to consider county support in identifying property, leasing county land or helping secure a metal building. Board members did not take formal action to commit county funds during the meeting but encouraged the group to prepare a detailed plan addressing utilities, site preparation and ongoing maintenance costs.
