The Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care (CoC) is the collaborative planning body responsible for developing and overseeing a comprehensive system of effective services designed to prevent and quickly resolve occurrences of homelessness in Asheville and Buncombe County. The CoC has undergone a restructuring process, and a new Governing Board was seated earlier this year. The CoC Board is elected by the membership body and sets strategy, priorities, and performance metrics for the CoC. The CoC Board brings together leaders of partner systems of care with fiscal and program authority.
The CoC Membership voted to approve the first round of recommended Board candidates, as well as Non-Voting Liaisons from City Council and County Commission, at their meeting on April 25, 2024. During the initial Board application process, there were no applicants for the following five representative seats:
- Local Non-Governmental Funders
- Business Community
- Faith Community
- Community Member (one of two seats)
- Supportive Provider Network
The Nominating and Membership Committee is beginning the application process to fill these five remaining seats. Interested and qualified applicants should review the CoC Governance Charter and Board Member Role Descriptions for additional details. Applications are due by Friday, Sept 20, 2024 at 5 p.m. The Nominating and Membership Committee will review applications, conduct interviews, and develop a slate of candidates. The full CoC membership will vote in October to appoint the recommended slate and the full Board will participate in Strategic Planning in November. Click here to access the CoC Board Application.
If you have not already joined the CoC, you must first become a member of the CoC in order to be eligible to serve on the Board and in committees and work groups. Anyone with interest in understanding homelessness and taking action to address it can become a member of the CoC. Members can be individuals or organizations, and staff of member organizations are encouraged to become individual members. To join the CoC Membership, complete an Individual Membership Form or an Organizational Membership Form.
If you are interested in applying for a Board seat and want to know more about what to expect if elected, the Lead Agency is holding one hour virtual Board Interest Q&A sessions which will cover the following topics:
- The role of the CoC Board within the larger CoC structure
- The history and context of the Asheville-Buncombe CoC Board
- Shared values and culture
- The Board structure
- Recent work of the CoC Board and what to expect next
- Time for Q&A
These sessions will be held on Sept. 5, 2024, at 4 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. Please email homelessstrategy@ashevillenc.gov or call 828-747-8168 to register. If you or someone you know would benefit from one of these sessions but is unable to attend virtually, please call or email using the information above.