Purchase of Ramada Inn by Shangri-La finalized, Asheville city officials confirm

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A major housing project to help homeless people in Asheville has taken another giant step forward.

The City of Asheville announced the purchase of the Ramada by Shangri-La Industries, Inc. was finalized Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. The property in east Asheville will create approximately 100 units to "help people exit homelessness in Asheville," a press release from the city noted.

Shangri-La will be partnering with nonprofit firm Step Up on Second Street, Inc., to manage the property and provide onsite supportive services to new residents once the renovations are complete.

“Housing ends homelessness, and ending homelessness is our #1 goal,” stated Emily Ball, the homeless strategy division manager with the City of Asheville in a press release. “We’re excited to welcome an experienced partner to our community’s homeless service system and grateful to have this new solution coming soon.”

SHANGRI-LA SET TO BUY RAMADA INN ON SEPT. 2, LATEST STEP IN HOMELESS HOUSING PROJECT

The city provided the following information about plans moving forward:

Next Steps

Final design work is currently underway to convert the hotel rooms into studio apartments. Over the next few months, renovations will begin and a temporary security fence will be installed during construction. Once the construction is complete, Step Up will staff the site with at least 6 case managers and two property managers to provide wrap-around services for the tenants.

“We are thrilled to partner with the City to bring much needed permanent supportive housing to the most vulnerable population,” said Andy Meyers, CEO of Shangri-La Industries in a release. “This project will provide the opportunity for people experiencing homelessness in Asheville a safe place to call home.”

A commitment to reducing homelessness

This project supports the City’s priority to reduce the number of people experiencing houselessness in Asheville. Permanent supportive housing is an approach that provides apartment homes for unhoused individuals plus onsite service support to ensure success.

ASHEVILLE COUNCIL VOTES TO WAIVE NEARLY $80,000 IN RAMADA HOUSING PROJECT COSTS

On December 14, 2021, City Council approved $1.5M to fund the first three years of supportive services, making this project possible.

“Our team is committed to working with partners and the community to provide evidence-based interventions for people experiencing houselessness in Asheville,” said Nikki Reid, Community & Economic Development Director for the City of Asheville in a release. “We are growing our staff and are now hiring three additional positions to meet this critical need.”

This project, together with Homeward Bound’s Tunnel Road project, means that approximately 185 new units of permanent supportive housing will be available in the coming months for people currently experiencing houselessness.