The city of Lexington, Kentucky, has taken down several homeless camps this month as temperatures continue to drop. Ginny Ramsey, the Director of the Catholic Action Center says the city may be removing the camps, but that’s not helping to move people inside.
Ramsey says very few homeless people stay at shelters because they’re also struggling with mental health issues. City officials say a spike in hepatitis A cases in the local homeless population was behind the move.
The director of Lexington’s Homeless Prevention and Intervention Office, Polly Ruddick, says the city has been working with camp residents for weeks to find alternative housing. But Ramsey says not all of the displaced residents made it inside and many have lost their belongings.
The arctic blast is supposed to hit Central Kentucky Monday night and could last for several days. FEMA has set up heated trailers in the parking lot of the Catholic Action Center. That will provide an additional 66 beds. The center has 134. Ramsey said reservations aren’t needed, just sign up for a spot at the front desk. No one will be turned away.