Mayor appoints task force to tackle Lexington's growing homelessness crisis

The Lexington City Council convened on June 3, 2025, to address the pressing issue of homelessness in the community. The meeting began with Mayor Linda Gorton announcing the formation of a mayor's task force dedicated to tackling homelessness, emphasizing that the initiative aims to gather information rather than commit to specific actions immediately. The task force is set to commence meetings in the fall and will present recommendations to the council.

Housing Advocacy and Community Development Commissioner Charlie Lanter introduced Ed Holmes, a consultant who presented findings from a recent shelter study. Lanter acknowledged the contributions of former council member Tana Fogle, who advocated for funding the study, and highlighted the importance of approaching the issue with a focus on community compassion and collaboration.

Holmes reported alarming statistics indicating a 13% increase in homelessness from 2023 to 2025, with a notable rise in families with children seeking shelter. He detailed the current shelter system's inadequacies, noting a significant gap between the number of individuals needing shelter and available beds. The emergency shelter system is currently overtaxed, with a utilization rate of 162.7%, indicating a critical need for additional resources.

The study projected that by 2030, the homeless population could reach nearly 1,000 individuals, necessitating the acquisition of over 1,000 beds to meet demand. Holmes discussed potential sites for new shelters, emphasizing the need for accessible locations that could accommodate various services, including healthcare and transitional housing. He proposed that adaptive reuse of existing properties could be a viable solution, citing examples such as the former Tanbark healthcare facility and the Eastland Bowling Alley.

Council members engaged in discussions about the proposed task force's timeline and the urgency of addressing the homelessness crisis before the upcoming winter. Questions arose regarding the types of services that could be offered at a new shelter, including the possibility of accommodating pets, which is a significant barrier for many individuals seeking shelter.

The council acknowledged the interconnectedness of homelessness and the affordable housing crisis, with members expressing a desire to explore more aggressive strategies to increase housing availability. The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for immediate action and a commitment to developing a comprehensive plan to address homelessness in Lexington. The council's next steps will involve further discussions and planning as they work towards implementing effective solutions.