The Shepherds House was an idea born in 1984 by Fred Hood, a parishioner at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Lexington, KY. Fred’s son, John, was at Charter Ridge for treatment and it was strongly suggested he attend a halfway house for long-term care and programming. There were no suitable programs in the Central Kentucky region. Fred, and many others at good Shepherd and in the community, were advocates for developing a world class recovery housing program in Lexington.
In September 1985 the project was recommended to the vestry at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. The request of the church was they provide 10% of the initial capital costs, which were anticipated to be ~$250,000. The church agreed, and raised, the requested amounts ($25,000 for initial capital costs and at least $10,000 per year in annual operating costs). The Shepherd's House was born, and it welcomed its first client, nearly four years later, in July 1989.