Lexington city leaders are discussing strategies for emergency housing during periods of extreme cold this winter. Council members heard from a housing administrator as well as a proposal from a longtime nonprofit shelter organization. Charlie Lanter is the commissioner of housing advocacy and community development. He told Council existing emergency shelters will have expanded capacity this winter with fewer COVID-related space limitations.
“While we may be losing the COVID response beds, we’re gaining back the beds that were lost due to the COVID response,” said Lanter.
Lanter said large numbers of hotel rooms were used throughout much of the winter last year. He said this year that number should be far fewer in meeting the need during extreme cold surge periods.
Representatives with the Catholic Action Center are asking the city to consider establishing temporary additional sheltering at a new location. Laura Babbage, who serves on the shelter’s board, said it would have on-site security, supervision, food, and medical services.
“These are structures that are put up by EDS which is the group that puts these structures together for FEMA all over the country and that’s what they are doing in Florida. They did them during COVID,” said Babbage.
Charlie Lanter said finding an appropriate location would be difficult. Tawna Fogel said she lives near a homeless camp. In addressing the Council she said there are not enough resources available currently. The downtown resident added quote, “people are dying already, why do we have to wait til it gets below freezing before we put them in a hotel.” A motion seeking proposals for what’s called a winter emergency opportunity village failed in a Council vote.
