LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Hope Center in Lexington broke ground June 7 on a new transitional and veterans housing addition to its Emergency Shelter. The new addition will have 72 beds, with 24 of them designated specifically for veterans that will provide transitional housing and services.
“This transitional housing addition won’t add capacity but will position the Hope Center to provide better living conditions for the homeless veterans who have served our country,” said Rufus Friday, executive director of the Hope Center.
“Through single living units rather than a group setting, we will be more effective in providing individualized services and addressing the root causes of their homelessness so veterans can get the help they need — and deserve — so they can eventually move into permanent housing,” he explained.
Services include case management to help them gain the skills they need, recovery, job skills and training, and mental health counseling.
“These services will help restore the independence of clients coming to the shelter by addressing and removing any barriers to permanent housing,” Friday said.
The construction, which is expected to be completed in summer 2024, will not impact the operation of the existing shelter.
“Our shelter hasn’t changed structurally since it opened 30 years ago,” Friday said. “These changes will prepare us for the next 30 years.”
The total cost of the project is projected to be $6.2 million. Of that, 60% is federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The Hope Center will raise the remaining 40% of the cost.
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