Lexington forms new task force to address growing homelessness crisis

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Lexington is grappling with a growing homelessness crisis as the city reported 925 people experiencing homelessness this year, up from 825 last year. In response, city leaders have formed a new task force that held its first meeting to develop strategies for addressing the 100-person increase.

Gregory Searight, who is experiencing homelessness himself, serves as a voice for those living on the streets as part of the mayor's new task force. His perspective challenges common misconceptions about who becomes homeless and why.

"If you ain't never been homeless, you don't know how it is. It's a whole different world out there," Searight said. "I used to look in trash cans for food, it's not fun."

Searight's homelessness began after a personal tragedy, not addiction,