Many African Americans are living beyond their means in Fayette County.
That's according to the State of Fair and Affordable Housing Report, released by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission Wednesday.
One such person is Letha Simms, a volunteer with the
Catholic Action Center in Lexington. Simms was given housing by the center after she could no longer afford to pay to live on her own.
"It's a struggle. You know...it's really rough," said Simms.
The report showed that African Americans make up about 15 percent of Fayette County's population. Of that group, the per capita income is around $16,000.
The per capita income for caucasians was listed at around $28,000.
The report said that in Lexington, of the 42 percent of renter-occupied households, only 22 percent are African American. The percentage living beneath the poverty level: 23 percent, compared to eight percent of caucasians.
But Simms said she hopes things will keep moving forward.
"It's gonna get better. Like, it hurts...but I don't give up."
For more details on housing and other gaps in Lexington, you can view the full report by
clicking this link.
