LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government's Social Services and Public Safety Committee convened Tuesday to review progress on major community initiatives, including a $59 million affordable housing fund and programs aimed at strengthening family stability and food access.

The committee discussed the Affordable Housing Fund, which has committed approximately $59 million since 2015 to support 3,826 housing units while leveraging over $474 million in outside investment. The fund focuses on deep affordability, with 84.2% of funded units serving households earning at or below 60% of the area median income.

Recent developments include senior housing, supportive housing, and mixed-income projects across Lexington, though rising interest rates and construction costs continue to present challenges. The committee heard that fiscal year 2027 priorities include expanding permanent supportive housing and increasing units for households at or below 30% AMI.

Shelia Horton-Holt, director of the Division of Family Services, provided an update on the Family Care Center, which serves an average of 210 clients weekly through four core programs: early childhood care and education, family service coordination, home visitation services, and parent education. The center, established in 1989 to support teen mothers, has expanded to offer comprehensive services designed to help families achieve self-sufficiency.

The committee also heard about the Lexington Mobile Market, a public-private partnership developed in response to 2020 recommendations from the Commission for Racial Justice and Equality. The program generated 9,259 transactions and $163,542 in sales in 2025, with EBT usage exceeding 35%, indicating strong reach into low-income populations.

Director Oliver Lee Steele presented updates on code enforcement activities, while Commissioner Charlier Lanter discussed the Housing Stability Services Program and its efforts to prevent evictions through the right to counsel initiative. The committee voted unanimously to approve the previous meeting summary.