What is The Haven?
The Haven of Transylvania County is a non-profit, charitable organization with a mission to bridge the gap between homelessness and permanent housing. We provide safe, temporary shelter combined with vital coaching in life skills to help individuals achieve self-reliance.
Our facilities include two shelters: The Haven Thomas House and the Haven Family House:
The Haven Thomas House, an 18-bed shelter for single adults, featuring an open floor plan for professional staff and trained volunteers to monitor activities during the evening and night.
The Haven Family House, a secure residence for families experiencing homelessness, with four private bedrooms that preserve family unity. It also includes a commercial playground where children can play, learn, and maintain a sense of normalcy.
Both shelters are are thoughtfully equipped with laundry facilities, showers, mail service and telephone messaging services, creating a warm, dignified, and inviting environment for our guests.
Our dedicated staff assists guests in identifying the factors leading to their current situation and developing actionable steps toward stable, affordable housing. Through personalized housing stabilization plans, employment support, and financial education—including budgeting and savings strategies—guests are empowered to rebuild their lives. We also provide mental health counseling to address challenges like depression, anxiety, past trauma, or grief, which are common barriers for those experiencing homelessness.
Conveniently located near community resources like Sharing House and Bread of Life, our shelters collaborate with various local agencies to ensure comprehensive support for individuals and families in need. Together, we strive to build pathways out of homelessness and into stable, independent living.
Who are the Homeless?
To put it plainly, homelessness in the midst of plenty is a travesty that should not exist.
Many people will make their beds tonight in the woods of White Pine, Cathy’s Creek, Pisgah Forest and in cars scattered throughout the parking lots of Transylvania County. They have lost their homes and they have lost hope.
There are two definitions of homelessness. The McKinney–Vento definition and the HUD definition.
The McKinney–Vento definition covers people that may be doubled up or couch surfing while the HUD definition covers those that are literally homeless, sleeping in their car, tent, or on the street.
The options these unfortunate men, women, and families face are few and grim. A disturbing number of people experiencing homelessness in our county are women and children.
Transylvania County Schools tracks the number of school-age children who are homeless or precariously housed at sometime during the school year. On average, there are 150 such students each year. Most students fall under the McKinney–Vento definition of homelessness and are able to stay with friends and/or family.
How does The Haven help?
The Haven typically serves those that are literally homeless that have no other place to go.
The shelters provide a warm and inviting atmosphere, where the guests are treated with dignity and genuine caring. Staff helps our guests figure out how they got here and what steps they need to take to move on to stable, affordable housing. A case manager is on staff and refers clients to community agencies that provide housing, employment, daycare, family support, medical and dental issues, education, eye glasses, health insurance/medicaid, and food assistance. Guests are expected to complete goal plans and move forward to bettering their life.
The Haven Thomas House and Haven Family House are located behind The Bread of Life, which allows both food and shelter needs to be met in one place. This location is also adjacent to the Sharing House, where clothing and other food sources are available. Department of Social Services is also close on the map to this locale. The Haven collaborates with community agencies devoted to helping people in need.
The Haven Thomas House and Haven Family House provides structure. Guests of the Haven Thomas House leave in the morning Monday – Saturday at 8:00 am and can return at 4 pm, but are required to be in by 7 pm. During the day, clients are expected to complete goals as set per individual. The Haven Family House is set up to allow families to stay in all day and are also required to complete goals as set per individual family.