LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) – The city of Lexington is the recipient of a $1.8 million federal grant designed to help community organizations reduce and end homelessness. The funding will be a great help to facilitate the building of many permanent housing projects in the city.
“Ending homelessness is essential to ensure that all people have the opportunity to live healthy, productive lives,” Mayor Lind Gorton said. “This is the highest level of funding we have ever received from this grant, and a 21 % increase over the previous year.”
The money is the result of a grant applied for by Polly Ruddick, the Director of the City’s Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention.
“These organizations are doing tremendous work to provide housing to those who need it most,” Ruddick said. “Recent bitterly cold weather reminds us how important it is for everyone to have a roof over their head.”
Since 2014, Lexington has decreased homelessness by 55 percent.
This funding will provide an additional 22 permanent housing vouchers for individuals or families fleeing domestic violence. In addition, there are 35 new permanent housing vouchers for individuals or families.
Other awarded funding will maintain the current 174 permanent housing vouchers for individuals or families. The grant will also allow Lexington-Fayette County to comply with federal regulations such as Continuum of Care Planning and Coordinated Entry.
