Lexington is set to welcome a significant new resource for homeless veterans with the upcoming opening of a $6.8 million expansion at the Hope Center. According to officials, the facility is expected to be completed by mid-February, providing critical transitional housing for those in need.
The new two-story building will feature 72 transitional beds, designed to assist individuals transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing. Among these, 24 units will be specifically allocated for veterans, as confirmed by Jeff Crook, the center’s chief executive officer. The facility is strategically located in front of the existing emergency shelter on Loudon Avenue, which has been the main shelter for men in Lexington.
Construction on the building commenced in June and is nearing completion with about 80% of the work finished. The new facility has been financed through a mix of funding sources, including the American Rescue Plan Act, veterans funding, and private donations. However, the Hope Center is still in the process of raising an additional $1.2 million.
The first floor dedicated to veterans will contain single-unit accommodations with kitchenettes, while the remaining units will consist of pod-style living arrangements. These pods will feature a central living area with shared bedrooms designed for four individuals per room or huddle eight people in a larger living unit.
It is important to note that while the city allocated $2 million from the American Rescue Plan for this project, some city council members believed this funding would also go towards expanding the emergency shelter services. Crook clarified that approximately $500,000 has already been spent on emergency shelter updates, affirming that expansion funding cannot be utilized for that purpose.
The Hope Center’s David Shadd, director of programs, emphasized that the new transitional housing will alleviate some of the pressure on the emergency shelter by allowing individuals to move into more stable living situations.
Additionally, Councilwoman Denise Gray raised concerns about the need for services addressing female veteran homelessness, noting that while the center has funding for women veterans, no one has qualified for those services in recent years. The Hope Center offers recovery programs for women, but currently lacks an emergency shelter program for women, which is primarily provided by the Salvation Army on Main Street.
Despite these ongoing challenges, the Hope Center continues to provide vital services, including mental health and substance abuse programs. In its 2023 annual report, the organization reported providing more than 178,000 nights of lodging and serving over 290,000 meals, underscoring its key role in supporting the homeless population in Lexington.
