Lexington taking count of homeless population

Lexington, Ky. (WTVQ) – Lexington will conduct a count of its homeless population next week.

The city of Lexington says the Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention is joining community homeless shelter providers on Wednesday, January 24 to conduct a count of homeless individuals and families in Fayette County.

It is part of the 2018 LexCount.

The count will include those who are temporarily residing in emergency shelters and transitional housing programs, as well those who are without shelter.

The count will be conducted by volunteer groups comprised of community shelter providers, individuals who were formerly homeless and people who are currently homeless.

The city of Lexington says last year, 1,051 individuals were counted, which is a 32% decrease in homelessness since the last count was done in January 2014.

The count helps give the city a look at the impact it is having on reducing and ending homelessness and to more effectively target resources.