EHI Consultants to present options for potential new homeless shelter
A map of suitable sites for a new homeless shelter that LFUCG could finance. Source: June 3rd Council Work Session Packet.
In Tuesday’s Council Work Session, EHI Consultants will present an overview of the Homelessness Shelter Feasibility Study. This study identifies the number of additional homeless shelter beds needed in Lexington, the cost to LFUCG for developing and operating a homeless shelter, and four specific sites in Lexington where a shelter could be built.
There are 498 year-round homeless shelter beds in Lexington, with roughly 925 people currently experiencing homelessness in Lexington in 2025. Of those, 810 were in some kind of emergency shelter.
The 925 figure comes from Lexington’s Point in Time Count.
Each January, City staff and volunteers canvas Lexington overnight to survey and count the homeless population in Lexington on that specific night.
Those numbers are often used as a basis or starting estimate for the overall homeless population in Lexington.
By 2030, EHI estimates the homeless population will reach 1,082 people. To make sure there are beds for at least 95% of the homeless population, Lexington will need an additional 530 homeless shelter beds.
The study identifies four properties that would be suitable for a new homeless shelter. The shelter model outlined in the presentation would be a shelter with not only emergency beds, but with transitional housing units and a number of social and medical services available on-site.
The four sites identified are:
1121 Tanbark Road, the former site of Signature Healthcare near the intersection of Man O’ War Boulevard and Tates Creek Road.
280 West New Circle Road, the former Catalina Motel near the intersection of New Circle Road and North Broadway.
750 East New Circle Road, the former Eastland Bowling building near the intersection of New Circle Road and Eastland Drive.
2000 Mercer Road, the former FedEx Distribution Center.
Operating this type of shelter would cost the city roughly $27 million over five years. EHI estimates one-time costs of $2.2-$3 million in one-time costs to get the shelter running, then an annual cost estimate of $3.5-$4.5 million each year.
You can review the presentation slides starting on page 32 of this packet.
Council Work Session will be held on Tuesday, June 3rd at 3pm in Council Chambers. You can attend in-person or watch live on LexTV.
