The winter cold continues throughout Kentucky this weekend. The city of Lexington is collaborating with various organizations to support its homeless population.
Charlie Lanter is Lexington's Commissioner of Housing Advocacy and Community Development. He said some organizations are expanding their hours of operation this weekend.
“During the day, our homeless folks who don't have a shelter or a place to go will be able to go to New Life Day Center, which is open 8:30 to 4:30. They normally have shortened hours on the weekend, but they're going to stay open the whole time. For the evenings, we'll have Lighthouse Ministries, which is only a block or two down the street,” he said.
Lanter said this is in addition to Lexington’s seasonal shelter at 1306 Versailles Road, which serves adult men and women, as well as several other shelters.
He said this winter storm has put a serious strain on these organizations that are trying to help.
“I think now is the time to take care of the caregivers. Our shelters and organizations are tapped out. They've used all of their funds, their socks, their blankets, their food. Folks who want to help out, there are lots of ways to give back if you talk to those organizations and those shelters,” he said.
Lanter said these organizations had to put many people into hotels unexpectedly, and that has cut deep into their funds.
Lexington’s shelter system is largely at capacity, and it is recommended that bed availability be confirmed before someone physically goes or is taken to a shelter.
All available shelters and contact information can be found in the Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention’s Winter Weather Plan available at lexendhomelessness.com.
Street outreach is available to receive contacts (phone, text, e-mail) and can help individuals navigate shelter needs. They can be reached at 859-551-8053 or 859-556-1870, or via e-mail at outreach@hopectr.org.
