Once-charming mountain escape now battling homelessness homeowners say turned postcard city into no-go zone
Been in Asheville for years North Carolina, It marketed itself as a mountain getaway known for breweries, boutique hotels and Blue Ridge views. But residents and critics say a different reality is taking shape in the wake of Hurricane Helene: panhandling at intersections, public drunkenness, encampments and an unsafe downtown.
Carl Mumpower, a private practice clinical psychologist, lifelong Asheville resident and former City Council member who served from 2001 to 2009, said the city’s current challenges stem from decisions made over decades.
“Asheville began its efforts at least find a solution to homelessness thirty years ago. This effort accelerated with the first ‘Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness’ earlier this century, Mumpower told Fox News Digital.
“This plan was wrong, but it was passed by an overwhelming majority. I suggested to the council at the time that any plan that removed personal responsibility from the charity equation was doomed to failure.”
Leftist Lawmakers Want to Make Homeless Encampments a Nationwide Crisis
Homeless people play music and trade money for money in downtown Asheville, North Carolina.
(Getty Images)
Mumpower said the city has been on the same path ever since.
“This plan and subsequent plans failed with equal alacrity. Homelessness, drug use and related crimes It has risen relentlessly under the watchful eye of local homelessness experts and the governing body, which is dominated by liberal Democrats and the even more far-left. “This lack of balance – the last Conservative on the council was in 2009 – has led to shortsighted repetition of mistakes.”
He also argued that city leaders rely on ideas that are not based on practical solutions.
Critics say downtown Asheville is struggling to deal with homelessness and crime.
“When it comes to homelessness, Asheville has a history of tracking more imaginary interventions realistic, measurable and traceable solutions.”
The Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care, the local, government-backed coalition responsible for coordinating federal homelessness planning and services in Asheville and Buncombe County, said homelessness in the area was at the highest level on record at the last count.
Data from the group’s 2026 Point-in-Time survey found 824 people were experiencing homelessness, an increase of 9.1% from 2025. This number included 334 people living without shelter, an increase of 1.8% compared to the previous year. About 500 people were in shelters or temporary accommodation; An increase in the Continuum of Care attributed in part to expanded emergency shelter and temporary shelter capacity.
People walk in downtown Asheville, North Carolina.
Mumpower said these “fantasy interventions” were accompanied by a quest to cut the city’s funding. police department.
“The council’s political dismantling of the police department — resulting in a 40% reduction due to retirements and resignations — had a dramatic impact on crime in Asheville,” he said. “Many ‘minor’ crimes are no longer enforced or realistically monitored, and the return on investment costs has skyrocketed. We have officers earning more than $150,000 in overtime last year due to manpower shortages. Enforcement is not possible without adequate, motivated staff.”
“The direct impact on residents includes increased and unenforced crime, direct exposure to drunkenness and violent street behavior, and serious taxes and fees to pursue recycled program claims.”
Critics say homelessness and crime are seeping into downtown Asheville.
Mumpower said many local residents had stopped going to the city centre.
“The most common phrase used by residents of the town and surrounding areas is ‘I don’t go downtown anymore; it’s disgusting, crazy and scary,'” he said.
He said tourism was also negatively affected as disorder became more visible in the city centre.
“Tourism is affected and the people we attract often come here not as families but as partiers who want to join the struggle.”
People in Asheville worked together to support each other as they tried to return to normal life following Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
The issue gained even more urgency after the incident. Hurricane Helene caused great damage Parts of Western North Carolina in September 2024.
Michael Whatley, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in North Carolina, said the storm is getting worse trouble in the region and exposed failures in the government’s response.
“The biggest issue we’re dealing with, of course, is hurricane relief coming on the heels of Hurricane Helene and Biden administration and Roy CooperWhatley told Fox News Digital that he had failed “badly” to help track the hurricane while he was governor.
Whatley said the administration’s clearing of relief funds will help residents get back on their feet.
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“As part of President Trump’s government response, $1.4 billion has been made available by HUD. residential relief“There’s also been a lot of movement over the last month with FEMA regarding the disaster assistance they’re providing to homeowners there,” Whatley said.
“We are certainly not ready to hang up a mission accomplished sign by any stretch of the imagination. But the federal aid provided to Western North Carolina far exceeds what has ever been provided to North Carolina by the federal government as a result of any storm.”
Asheville, North Carolina’s skyline shown at sunset. Located in Buncombe County’s Blue Ridge Mountains, the city experienced a 31% increase in violent crime from 2016 to 2020.
The City of Asheville said in a statement to Fox News Digital that officials remain focused on public safety.
“This month, we launched the Asheville Police Department’s Downtown Plan, which will essentially double police patrols downtown, increasing day and night patrols and, in some cases, intervening with trained mental health counselors. REST Team program It is an operational response to alleviate the effects of homelessness,” the city said. “It uses specially trained Asheville Fire Department personnel to communicate with concerned residents and people experiencing homelessness to solve the problem and connect them to resources.”
A city spokesperson also noted that officials have expanded panhandling ordinances and continue to work with the Asheville Downtown Association and community partners like it. Adid program.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Cooper’s campaign, the Asheville mayor’s office and the police department for comment.
Original article source: Once charming mountain getaway now struggling with homelessness Landlords say it has turned a postcard city into a no-go zone
