An EHI consultant's shelter study found that the number of people experiencing homelessness in Lexington has increased by 34 percent since 2020 — a statistic Mayor Linda Gorton said mirrors similar post-pandemic numbers across the state and the country.
Despite some progress, Mayor Linda Gorton pointed to a major hurdle.
"Our efforts are constrained by a shortage of permanent, accessible, year-round emergency shelter capacity. We need a permanent, cost-effective approach," she said.
Among the top priority measures identified by the task force: maintaining the 1306 Versailles Road campus for temporary seasonal shelter while transitioning it into a permanent housing campus for families with children, adults 55 and over, and people with disabilities; creating a coordinated intake and triage system, including a mobile unit; and strengthening strategies that prevent people from needing emergency shelter if other safe alternatives can be found.
But task force chair Diane Fleet said that's only half the work.
"I liken it to an emergency room. When a person is having a medical emergency, we treat a person and we stabilize them. But the healing journey does not stop there. Once stabilized, or in this case sheltered, how can we assist that person heal and get back on their feet?" she said. "And of equal importance, are there steps we can take so the person never needs shelter services?"
Thinking more long-term, the panel is recommending local investments in existing shelters and reconnecting people experiencing homelessness who come from outside Lexington with their home communities.
The city council will get its first look at the recommendations on Tuesday.