HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The director of Sanctuary, Inc. shared details about plans to expand Hopkinsville’s shelter for individuals who have experienced domestic violence or sexual abuse. During the March 19 meeting, councilmembers on the Hopkinsville Committee of the Whole were able to learn about the land purchase and future goals of the new facility.
“In our concerted search efforts for Sanctuary’s new location, working tirelessly over the past four years, a land purchase was approved by the Sanctuary Board of Directors last March,” said Director Heather Lancaster. “We bought this debt-free, this is Sanctuary’s land.”
Operating as a nonprofit, Sanctuary currently serves nine counties in the Pennyrile region and provides resources and support to residents both in an out of the shelter through programming and community awareness. Between 2024 and 2025 their shelter beds have provided over 15,467 nights to survivors.
During her presentation, Lancaster shared that the new facility they hope to construct will allow them to expand their services in a more modern setting. Their current building was built in the 1800s and is in a very public and heavily trafficked location. They currently have 10 shelter rooms and five apartment style rooms along with spaces for supplemental programs.
“My abuser sends me pictures of my car outside of the Sanctuary to remind me that he knows my every move,” said a quote provided by Lancaster from an anonymous woman at Sanctuary.
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Plans for new location include greenspace, over a dozen shelter rooms
Although the location of the newly purchased land has not been shared due to safety reasons, Lancaster has ensured that it is in proximity to beneficial community wide resources including grocery stores, schools and public transportation while also allowing privacy.
“Reimagining Sanctuary has required thoughtful considerations and strategy,” she told the councilmembers, explaining they observed various shelter models, held a feasibility study, and researched land opportunities before moving forward.
They hope to construct a facility that has three apartment style rooms to accommodate larger families and pets, along with 10 shelter rooms that can each hold up to four people. Another important feature will include increased green space and playroom areas for children. The facility will be large enough to have separate wings for residential and non-residential services as well as plenty of room to expand in the future.
An important service that Sanctuary Inc. currently offers will remain, space for an on-site Sexual Assault Forensics Exam Room (SAFE), which will be staffed by contracted nurses. Lancaster said the location will keep human dignity at the forefront.
While providing temporary housing for those fleeing violence is a very important part of what Sanctuary does, Lancaster previously told Christian County Now that 90% of people they serve are non-residential cases. Community outreach, preventative youth education, crisis counseling, legal advocacy, case management, and safety planning for those looking to leave violence are also important aspects.
Next steps and funding
The land that was purchased is currently being leased for farming purposes through the end of the year, so Lancaster told the council that they will not be able to start construction until 2027. This permits them time to raise the proper capital ahead of a groundbreaking.
Councilmember Clayton Sumner inquired about how much funding the city may be asked to contribute to construction, with no official monetary request made my Lancaster during the meeting. Sanctuary currently benefits from the Hoptown Helps program, which permits the city to allocate funding to a certain number of local nonprofits who apply.
With budget season approaching for local governments, Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight said they will schedule a future discussion to settle on what the city can allocate to the project. Currently, Sanctuary relies on state and federal dollars along with local donations.
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