North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Construction is getting underway on a rebuilt facility that provides temporary housing and support for homeless veterans in Western North Carolina.
Officials with the Western North Carolina VA Health Care System and Asheville Buncombe Christian Community Ministry held a groundbreaking Wednesday for the new Veterans Restoration Quarters, which was damaged by Hurricane Helene in 2024.
The site will provide short-term housing for homeless veterans as they work toward permanent housing.
“Today marks an exciting milestone for our community and for the veterans we serve,” said Stephanie Young, medical center director for the Western North Carolina VA Health Care System.
The rebuilt facility will be a state-of-the-art building designed by ABCCM to meet the needs of homeless and at-risk veterans, Young said.
Blum Construction, which is partnering with ABCCM on the project, said in a social media post ahead of the groundbreaking that the rebuilt facility will provide a renewed space of “hope, healing, and support” for veterans in the community.
The company said the Aug. 13 groundbreaking marked the beginning of construction and invited the community to support the project and celebrate its progress.
ABCCM has partnered with the VA for more than 20 years. Since 2003, the organization has received funding through the VA’s Grant and Per Diem program to support efforts to address veteran homelessness in Western North Carolina.
Under the partnership, ABCCM provides housing, facilities and on-site support for veterans. The VA’s Homeless Veteran Program provides health care, case management and coordination to help veterans find permanent housing and connect with other services.
The new facility’s location near the Asheville VA Medical Center will give residents direct access to medical, mental health and support services, Young said.
“When care is close, coordination improves, and when coordination improves, so do outcomes,” she said.
Young thanked ABCCM for its longstanding work with veterans experiencing homelessness and said she looked forward to continuing the partnership.
The rebuilt Veterans Restoration Quarters will restore a key housing resource for veterans in the region while providing a purpose-built facility for those working toward permanent housing and greater stability.