LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A $3 million donation will help propel Louisville's vision to house and care for the homeless.
The city of Louisville announced Wednesday that the Humana Foundation will donate that money toward the Community Care Campus project. Construction began last week on the $58 million campus, which is expected to be fully operational in 2027 and include transitional housing, permanent housing, a medical and behavioral clinic, community gathering space and a Louisville Metro Police office.
"In serving people, we know we can't do it alone," Tiffany Benjamin, CEO of the Humana Foundation, said Wednesday. "It takes a village, a coalition, and we're glad to join you in service of that coalition today. The Community Care Campus will change our community for the better."
Volunteers of America will help run the campus, which is in Old Louisville. The buildings it includes are the Vu Hotel and Guesthouse, the C2 event space and a few other locations.
During a news conference last week, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said Metro Government will allocate $22.5 million from the Kentucky General Assembly toward the project out of the state budget.
The Community Care Campus was first announced more than a year ago. The first phase of construction is expected to create a family emergency shelter. The campus will also offer medical services with partners at UofL Health and Norton Healthcare.
In 2022, nearly 11,000 people were homeless at some point in Jefferson County, according to the Coalition for the Homeless. A report from the coalition found homelessness in Louisville increased by more than 40% from 2018-21. And a majority of that homeless population is clustered around downtown Louisville, which was why the campus' location at South Floyd and East Breckinridge streets was chosen.
Greenberg said last week that the Community Care Campus could be a place to spend the night, a long-term housing solution while looking for something permanent, or just a resource for someone struggling with addiction or mental health issues.
The campus will be created near the current Hope Village, which provides outdoor shelter to help get people off the streets and connected with resources. Greenberg said the Community Care Campus will not replace Hope Village.
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- Construction begins on $58 million Louisville campus to house, treat homeless population
- Community Care Campus in Louisville to help city's homeless population
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