My family and I have been residents of Hendersonville, North Carolina, for generations. Over the years, we have witnessed a growing homeless population in our beloved town. Despite our best efforts to offer monetary and physical support, it has become clear that individual efforts alone are not enough.

Hendersonville is home to over 15,000 people. Yet, there is a significant lack of resources dedicated to assisting those without homes. This issue is not just about homelessness; it's about our community's ability to care for its most vulnerable members.

According to the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Annual Homeless Assessment Report (2019), on any given night, approximately 567,715 people experience homelessness in America. While we do not have exact numbers for Hendersonville due to limited resources dedicated to this issue, anecdotal evidence suggests that this national crisis is reflected locally.

As it currently stands, the local government has made active attempts to purchase a property located at 1441 Asheville Highway. The original intention for this project was to create a homeless shelter. The budget allocated from the city's pandemic American Rescue funds towards the homeless center project was $800,000. Concerns regarding the budget have been mentioned; however, another petition with a specific focus on safety has garnered attention recently. ABC13NEWS stated in an interview with locals against this project that they "don't want to see the center in their backyards." This movement is the basis for functional change in Hendersonville, NC.

We need comprehensive aid programs that address both immediate needs like food and shelter as well as long-term solutions such as job training and mental health services. We believe that adequate funding from local government bodies, along with cooperation from non-profit organizations and private citizens alike, can make a difference. We believe this shelter is the catalyst for future involvement in helping these struggling communities.

Our community has a responsibility to help the needy and less fortunate. Let us make Hendersonville a place where everyone has access to basic human rights, regardless of their circumstances. Please sign this petition urging local authorities in Hendersonville, NC, to establish the homeless shelter located on 1411 Asheville Highway.