Lexington is moving forward with plans for a temporary shelter for the city’s homeless population despite pushback from former elected officials and residents.
In an effort to address the growing homeless population, the city has proposed a temporary shelter for the winter. The city has had to find additional space for homeless people during the winter months for the past two years as the city’s homeless population has grown by 32% since 2020. During cold spells, the three main shelters — The Hope Center, The Salvation Army and Catholic Action Center — fill up and have no additional beds.
This year, the city hopes to construct a temporary shelter on city-owned property at 1306 Versailles Road, the city’s electronic recycling center, near the intersection of Versailles and Red Mile roads. The shelter will serve up to 214 people from Nov. 1 to April 1…