"The gravity that we're responding to at this moment is what we do for our unhoused neighbors," a Central Christian Church representative began the meeting, which focused on how the city will manage harsh winter weather this year.
A modest group of Lexington city officials and community members gathered at the church Tuesday to brainstorm ideas on how to respond, as KHC data show Lexington's homelessness rate increasing by four percent.
Tayna Fogle with Kentuckians for the Commonwealth said one problem is the reluctance of residents to get outside of their silos and make connections.
"We have an epidemic. We've had it for quite some time. The city does what they can do... all of you all kick in.
But then people still die in Lexington on the street," she said.
A speaker from Louisville, which saw a 12 percent decrease in the same survey, said her city has effectively utilized arenas and fairgrounds. But Ginny Ramsey with the Catholic Action Center in Lexington said one big concern is coordination between existing services and any new options available. She was asked if that was at the top of her list.
"To me it is, because without a place, without a way to triage, then they would be dumping people off at the hotels," she said.
Ramsey said it's difficult to predict the severity of the weather, how much will be needed in the way of services, and who might step up with donations, especially in uncertain economic circumstances.
Advocates note the Point-in-tTme survey is just that, a snapshot, and KHC's statewide numbers show roughly 5,700 people experiencing homelessness in the Commonwealth on an average night.