The HPWNC: A Project for Recovery, Stability, and Hope
Launched in 2022, The Homeless Project of Western North Carolina began with a bold yet compassionate mission: to meet individuals where they are, support them through their most difficult moments, and walk with them on the path to recovery and stability.
Three years later, the impact is clear.
We’ve connected over 130 individuals to vital, life-changing services—including peer support, emergency shelter, treatment programs, and health care. These efforts are delivering measurable progress across several areas, particularly in addressing the social determinants of health—such as housing stability, access to care, and substance use recovery.
Substance Use Outcomes:
48 clients have entered detox, treatment, or long-term recovery
Sobriety rates have tripled, with over 58 clients now reporting full abstinence from substances
Opioid use has decreased by nearly 90% — from 25 clients reporting use at intake, to 3 clients at discharge.
Stimulant use has decreased by half, from 63 clients at intake to just 31 clients at discharge.
107 clients completed our program and had no arrests for at least 30 days afterward
These outcomes reflect the power of sustained support and the resilience of the people we serve. Together, we’re building a future where recovery, dignity, and hope are within reach for everyone. However, for many, mental health challenges are just as significant as physical needs or substance abuse. The results from our program show that meaningful progress is possible for mental health as well.
Mental Health Outcomes:
Suicide attempts have decreased to 0, down from seven clients who reported attempts at intake.
Clients are experiencing fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression on average, and significantly more are accessing the care and support they need.
Reports of hallucinations and confusion were nearly cut in half, from 67 individuals at intake to 31 at discharge.
At HPWNC, we believe the opposite of addiction is connection. That’s why we focus on helping people reconnect with themselves, their families, their communities, and with the vital resources that support long-term recovery. Whether it’s housing, employment, health care, or a sense of belonging, we’re here to help make those connections possible.
The most visible sign of progress is that people are no longer displaced and living outside; they are living in their own homes.
With the help of Mission Ministries Alliance’s housing programs, including Rapid Rehousing, and through collaborative efforts with our partners such as the Back@Home program and Permanent Supportive Housing, 63 individuals have exited our facilities into permanent housing.
Every number represents a life reclaimed—and a future transformed. None of this would be possible without the dedication, compassion, and hard work of our staff serving as peer support specialists, who show up every day to walk beside those we serve. Their presence gives hope where it’s needed most.
We’re proud of how far we’ve come—and even more determined to keep pushing forward until every person has the chance to heal, rebuild, and thrive.
