ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Making your own cup of coffee in your own home is something many might take for granted but not Chris Campbell.

He was homeless for 11 years but now has his own apartment at Homeward Bound's Compass Point Village, where he can do things like watch movies and draw. 

“It’s just a blessing man,” Campbell said. “When you’re homeless, you’re more worried about where you’re going to go and if the law is going to be there and all of that crap. Versus, I have time now. I can sit down and actually do it.”“It’s just a blessing man,” Campbell said. “When you’re homeless, you’re more worried about where you’re going to go and if the law is going to be there and all of that crap. Versus, I have time now. I can sit down and actually do it.”

Now that he’s been here for almost a year, he has a few goals he’s focused on.  

“I’m just trying to stay out of trouble and get my disability,” Campbell said. “I want to leave my grandkids something.”  

The City of Asheville reported 739 people were homeless in 2024, an increase from the year prior. 

Compass Point Village is celebrating its first year of operation. Currently, it's helping 85 residents who can do their own laundry, receive one hot meal a day and hang out in communal spaces.   

For Roy Worley, being able to decorate his own apartment is special. He was homeless for more than 25 years. He has a wolf blanket in the center of his sitting area.

“A lady gave it to me about the first month that I was here. She told me to put it on my couch, and I did,” Worley said. 

For Worley, it’s really about the little things.

“It feels good to have groceries and have money to do it with,” he said. “I’m real happy, I can’t complain.” 

Program Manager HB Rowland said adjusting to this new life takes time for many.  

“Evidence shows that it takes about a year to two for folks to really settle and feel that sense of safety and sense of community and being able to lean on it,” Rowland said. 

For the residents, the next steps are working toward their bigger goals.  

“We have a lot of folks who are interested in getting their GED, interested in employment, interested in getting disability set up for their family, reconnecting with their family. We’re starting to work towards some really awesome goals for our folks,” Rowland said. 

Residents can stay at Compass Point Village for as long as they want. Some residents are choosing to have permanent housing, while others plan to graduate and move into their own homes.  

Homeward Bound is focused on helping residents make a plan for what they want to do for the rest of their life.