Lexington Homelessness Surges by 26% Revealing Urgent Need for Solutions as Winter Approaches

Lexington is facing a significant rise in homelessness, with the homeless population now exceeding 3,000 individuals, marking a 26% increase since last year. This finding comes from a recent survey conducted on August 28 by the Central Kentucky Housing and Homeless Initiative, alongside the Street Voice Council, which comprises homeless individuals themselves.

In stark contrast, Lexington’s official annual count from January showed only 825 homeless individuals, adhering to guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The community survey unveiled a more comprehensive view of homelessness, including those residing in jails, motels, hospitals, and treatment programs, thereby highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding before the cold winter months set in.

“There’s a whole story behind these numbers,” remarked Ginny Ramsey, director of the Catholic Action Center, during a news conference at Legends Field. She expressed sadness over the rising figures, which included an increase of individuals living outside, up from 398 last year to 505 this year.

One notable aspect of the findings was that 35% of surveyed homeless individuals reported experiencing harassment while sleeping outside, with approximately 78% of these instances involving law enforcement. This comes in light of House Bill 5, which has made outdoor camping illegal.

Charlie Lanter, Lexington’s Commissioner of Housing Advocacy and Community Development, acknowledged that the community count likely includes around 1,000 individuals within recovery programs not classified as homeless by HUD. He pointed out concerns over potential duplication of counts, advocating for a detailed understanding of the data.

Jarred Paull, co-chair of the Central Kentucky Housing and Homeless Initiative, noted that many homeless individuals were reluctant to engage due to the recent outdoor camping ban. This reluctance suggests that the actual number of homeless individuals may be even higher.

During the briefing, Laura Babbage, chaplain of the Catholic Action Center, emphasized the urgency in addressing the situation. “What are we going to do to prepare for the adults and children who are going to need a warm place to sleep?” she questioned.

In the context of homelessness among children, Fayette County Public Schools reported 455 children experiencing homelessness, a slight increase from the previous year. T.C. Cobble Johnson, overseeing the district’s homeless program, noted that approximately 80% of these families are temporarily staying with relatives or friends.

Concerns are also rising regarding House Bill 5, as it is theorized to push homeless individuals from rural areas into larger cities like Lexington. Legal expert John Landon criticized the bill, suggesting it complicates the systemic approach to addressing homelessness and exaggerates the financial burden on taxpayers.

As the city grapples with this growing issue, officials are currently undertaking a homeless needs assessment, which is expected to conclude by 2025. In the meantime, the city allocates funds to various shelters and plans to utilize hotels as a temporary solution for the upcoming winter.

Lexington’s city officials have indicated a spending of $44 million over the past five years on homeless services and programs. Despite this, Councilwoman Tayna Fogle expressed her frustration at the lack of sufficient funding directed toward shelters, stating, “We are in a state of emergency because we are dealing with people’s lives.”