June 3, 2025

Closure of Health and Wellness Lounge in Kentucky

News Summary

The Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition has announced the closure of its Health and Wellness Lounge due to federal funding cuts. Established to support the houseless community and offer vital services, the lounge has served over 3,000 visitors since its inception. With funding cuts threatening essential harm reduction initiatives, the organization plans to shift towards community outreach. Both KHRC and nearby VOCAL-KY face challenges including recent penalties from the city, highlighting the urgent need for collaborative solutions for the unhoused population.

Louisville, Kentucky – The Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition (KHRC) has announced that its Health and Wellness Lounge will close on June 18, a decision driven by uncertainty surrounding federal funding cuts from the Trump administration. This closure marks the end of a safe haven for the houseless community and individuals seeking substance use disorder and mental health services, which was established at the beginning of 2024.

Since opening, the Health and Wellness Lounge has welcomed over 3,000 visitors and provided essential services, including meals through a partnership with Feed Louisville, restroom access, and various harm reduction resources. However, the impending funding cuts have jeopardized the sustainability of the lounge, prompting KHRC to adopt a proactive approach to its operations. Rather than shutting down entirely, the organization plans to pivot towards community-based outreach, as House Bill 5, passed in 2024, criminalizes street camping, thus affecting their strategy.

Executive Director Shreeta Waldon emphasized the profound impact the lounge had on the community, especially among the houseless population. By transitioning to outreach work, KHRC aims to ensure that its outreach specialists remain employed while still addressing the needs of those it serves. This strategy comes in light of significant reductions in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act due to ongoing federal cuts, which threaten vital harm reduction initiatives across Kentucky.

To maintain support for future initiatives, KHRC is seeking community support through donations and is organizing a fundraising event scheduled for June 28. Although the Health and Wellness Lounge will be closing its doors, neighboring nonprofit VOCAL-KY will continue to provide essential services to the community.

The situation has been further complicated by recent fines imposed on both KHRC and VOCAL-KY by the Louisville Metro Department of Codes and Regulations for alleged violations related to cleanliness and debris outside their properties. Advocates argue that these fines are unfair, pointing out that the organizations conduct regular cleanups and that the ongoing issues stemmed from camping outside business hours rather than a lack of cleanliness.

In light of the challenges faced, both organizations are calling for collaborative efforts with the city to find solutions for trash removal and to better address the needs of unhoused individuals. There are growing concerns regarding potential lease terminations due to the ongoing issues with property management and fines. Advocates stress the critical need for the city to intervene and provide more 24-hour resources for the unhoused population instead of opting for criminalization.

With federal funding cuts posing a significant threat to harm reduction programs, Kentucky’s initiatives aimed at preventing overdose deaths and delivering essential social services could be at risk. The KHRC’s closure of the Health and Wellness Lounge highlights the ongoing challenges faced by such organizations in providing necessary support and care to vulnerable populations. As the battle continues regarding funding and resource allocation, the impact on the community’s most vulnerable members remains a pressing concern.

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Author: STAFF HERE BOWLING GREEN WRITER

The BOWLING GREEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBowlingGreen.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bowling Green, Warren County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Corvette Homecoming, International Festival, concerts at SKyPAC, and sports events at Beech Bend Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the African American Museum Bowling Green Area, plus leading businesses in automotive, apparel, and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant, Fruit of the Loom, and Med Center Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELexingtonKY.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.

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