The Office of Homelessness Prevention & Intervention Weather Plan has been activated due to the forecast of extreme cold temperatures in Lexington. This plan will remain in effect through Jan. 2, 2018. The plan is activated anytime the temperature is expected to fall below 32 degrees so that people experiencing homelessness in Lexington have warm, secure shelter.
The plan includes expanded shelter services and free transportation to shelters.
24-hour Emergency Shelters
24-hour emergency shelters welcome all eligible people during emergency weather including former residents under suspension for behavioral or programmatic reasons. Exceptions may include individuals suspended for violence and decisions will be made case by case but providers and OHPI will collaborate to ensure emergency shelter is available for anyone in need.
Unaccompanied Women and Women with Children
Salvation Army
736 W. Main Street, Lexington, KY 40508
859-252-7706
• Services Available: emergency shelter, meals, showers, clothing as available.
Unaccompanied Men
Hope Center
360 W. Loudon Avenue, Lexington, KY 40508
859-252-7881
• Services Available: emergency shelter, clothing, meals, on-site HealthFirst clinic, non-medical detox, employment information, access to Hope Center programming (Veteran’s Program, Mental Health, Men’s Recovery, Employment, Social Services), and other services as needed. Emergency shelter will have expanded capacity during inclement weather.
Unaccompanied Men and Women Catholic Action Center
1055 Industry Road, Lexington, KY 40505
859-255-0301
• Services Available: emergency shelter, meals, showers, phone service, connection to social services. Emergency shelter will have expanded capacity during inclement weather.
Children and Youth Ages 6 weeks to 17 years
Arbor Youth Services
536 West Third Street, Lexington, KY 40508
859-254-2501
• Services Available: Emergency shelter and individualized attention to secure basic needs and appropriate shelter. Day Shelters – Daytime Warming Centers Day Shelters/Daytime Warming Centers are facilities open during daytime hours as a place for individuals over the age of 18 with no other place to seek refuge from emergency weather conditions.
Each facility may have its own eligibility criteria for entrance.
New Life Day Center
224 North Martin Luther King Blvd., Lexington, KY 40508
859-721-2325
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm; Saturday 8:30 am to 11:30 am • Services: Connections to employment, clothing, medical care, Social Security, and other resources; storage lockers available.
Catholic Action Center
1055 Industry Road, Lexington, KY 40505
859-255-0301
Normal Operating Hours: 24/7/365
• Services: Meals, Showers, Phone Service, Connection to Social Services.
Arbor Youth Services Street Outreach Center (Youth 18-25 years old and their children)
540 West Third Street Lexington, KY 40508
859-254-2501
• Operating Hours: Daily 10 am to 4 pm (extended hours as needed – no one turned out to the street) • Services: Individualized attention to secure basic needs and appropriate shelter
Transportation
For some people experiencing homelessness, transportation to a shelter or between shelters is a significant barrier. Cost, access, or even knowledge of transportation options could prevent them from accessing shelter and getting out of dangerous weather. The following transportation options are available when the OHPI Emergency Weather Plan has been activated:
HopeMobile Cold Patrol – The HopeMobile is a program of the Hope Center and when winter weather creates significant risk for those on the streets their Cold Patrol hits the streets to visit known locations and camps where people experiencing homelessness can be found. Those located are offered transportation to emergency shelter and, if they refuse, are provided with blankets and other weather appropriate materials.
Compassionate Caravan – Operated entirely by volunteers associated with the Catholic Action Center, the Compassionate Caravan consists of volunteer drivers visiting places people are known to frequent when experiencing homelessness. Caravan volunteers offer people a ride to the most appropriate shelter of their choice. If the individual refuses the ride then volunteers provide blankets and other weather appropriate materials.
Lextran – Any time the OHPI Emergency Weather Plan is activated then people in need of a ride to a homeless shelter may board Lextran buses at no charge. However, riders must state the shelter to which they need transportation, must ride along existing routes, must transfer to a route with shelter access, and must disembark at the stop nearest that shelter. Drivers may ask riders to disembark if they are clearly not riding to shelter.
Anyone wishing to report someone who may need a ride to shelter can call or text the Catholic Action Center’s Compassionate Caravan at (859) 913-0038 from 5 – 11 p.m., Wednesday – Sunday. Messages are received and followed up on, but not always returned.
For information on the city’s Office of Homelessness Prevention & Intervention, visit http://lexingtonky.gov/homelessness