LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - A new homelessness task force hopes to reduce the number of unhoused people in Lexington after the city’s emergency homeless shelter survey showed a nearly 12% jump in homelessness.

In 2024, Lexington had 825 people experiencing homelessness. This year that number sits at 925 people.

The 20-member task force includes city councilmembers, nonprofit leaders and people with lived experience, including Greg Searight, who has been homeless.

“Stop looking at us like we are a germ or something. If you ain’t ever been homeless - you don’t know how it is. It’s a whole different world out there,” Searight said.

Mayor Linda Gorton tapped Diane Fleet of Greenhouse-17 to serve as the task force’s co-chair.

“I don’t have any preconceived ideas on what this will look like and

See Full Page