LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Mayor's Task Force on Homelessness met on August 26 to deliberate over competing proposals for a centralized intake center, with task force members clashing over whether a mobile model or permanent facility would better serve the city's homeless population.

The task force, charged with reviewing the city's emergency shelter system and providing formal recommendations to Mayor Linda Gorton, spent much of the meeting examining a modified proposal for the intake center that would launch as a mobile operation rather than a fixed location.

City officials proposed the mobile model as a temporary measure while the city pursues a permanent facility over the next two to three years. According to the proposal, a mobile intake team would supplement existing shelters by providing case management and housing navigation services directly at shelter locations, day centers and other facilities. The model would also serve to identify potential operators for a future permanent intake center.

However, the proposal drew skepticism from at least one task force member. Council Member Liz Sheehan expressed concerns that a mobile intake center could confuse people seeking services, noting that the city already struggles with connecting residents to resources. "I'm concerned about a mobile intake model without a centralized location because I think that might be confusing for people who need to access that intake center if it's moving," Sheehan said.

The debate centered on the future location of a permanent intake center. The task force has been exploring options since its first meeting in November 2025, when it began examining national best practices and community input. Earlier discussion had centered on the Versailles Road campus, which has housed a winter shelter that drew mixed reactions from nearby business owners over safety concerns.

The modified proposal seeks to avoid locating the permanent intake center on Versailles Road, instead setting that as a goal while launching the mobile model immediately. Sheehan opposed removing Versailles Road from consideration entirely, suggesting that service providers might successfully operate an intake center there alongside other offerings.

The meeting also included a recap of a public input session held earlier in the month. Task force members noted that despite stormy weather, 17 community members attended the August 11 town hall meeting at the PAC Senior Citizen Center, with several others providing written feedback. The task force's work comes as the city grapples with an estimated gap of roughly 200 shelter beds needed during winter months.

The task force is expected to present its final recommendations to Mayor Gorton and the Urban County Council in the coming weeks.