LEXINGTON, Ky. — Mayor Linda Gorton's Task Force on Homelessness, which held its first meeting on Nov. 12, 2025, debated contentious proposals for expanding the city's shelter system during a meeting on July 29, with members clashing over whether to consolidate services at the Versailles Road campus or maintain separate facilities for different populations.

The task force has discussed implementing a roughly 500-bed shelter system centered on a potential expansion at the Versailles Road campus, which would serve families, elderly people and those with disabilities—populations that current facilities are not designed to accommodate. The city reported 925 people experiencing homelessness this year, up from 825 last year.

A significant point of contention emerged around a proposed central intake center and how it should be managed. Some members emphasized the need for more permanent solutions beyond seasonal shelters, noting they would like to see the addition of permanent beds within the system.

Task force members emphasized findings gathered from community listening sessions, noting that residents and business owners had raised concerns about public safety and wanted compassionate but protective solutions. Members suggested that accountability and adequate resources must be part of any comprehensive strategy.

The task force also proposed forming a community continuation committee to sustain momentum beyond the current planning phase. Members stressed that addressing homelessness will require a three-year commitment and collaborative effort between government, nonprofits, faith organizations, and businesses—not relying solely on government resources.

A town hall meeting is scheduled for August 11 at 6 p.m. to present recommendations to the community for public input. The task force was convened in response to the findings and recommendations outlined in the June 2025 Emergency Homeless Shelter Study and is charged with conducting a focused review of the city's emergency shelter system and programming and providing formal recommendations to the Mayor regarding strategic next steps.