Task force created to address growing homeless population

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – City leaders are taking new steps to address Lexington’s growing homelessness crisis.

Mayor Linda Gorton’s new Task Force on Homelessness is holding its first public meeting Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in the Phoenix Building on East Vine Street. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the city’s website.

According to officials, the latest LexCount found more than 900 people experiencing homelessness in Fayette County this year — about 100 more than last year. Of those, 810 were staying in emergency shelters, marking the highest number in the history of the count.

Mayor Gorton says the task force will focus on reviewing Lexington’s emergency shelter system and identifying ways to strengthen services for people in need.