# Task force solicits public input on homelessness solutions  
**Published:** 2026-05-14T16:42:08.000Z  
**Source:** [LFUCG General News](https://www.lexingtonky.gov/news/mayors-task-force-homelessness-host-virtual-public-listening-session)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/task-force-solicits-public-input-on-homelessness-solutions

LEXINGTON, Ky. — [The Mayor's Task Force on Homelessness will host a virtual public listening session](https://www.lexingtonky.gov/news/mayors-task-force-homelessness-host-virtual-public-listening-session) at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 21, to gather community input on addressing homelessness in the city.

The session, organized by the task force's Community Engagement Committee, seeks to reduce misinformation and build consensus about needed services for people experiencing homelessness. [Those interested in attending can register for the meeting](https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/cc025c63-f862-4787-b32a-29d0b11f3689@dbc9f5ac-2e80-4290-a5b6-f86036082a04/), or submit comments to [homelessnessTF@lexingtonky.gov](mailto:homelessnessTF@lexingtonky.gov).

[Mayor Linda Gorton convened the task force in response to findings from a June 2025 Emergency Homeless Shelter Study](https://www.lexingtonky.gov/government/initiatives/task-force-homelessness), which documented rising concern about homelessness in Lexington. [The city reported 925 people experiencing homelessness this year, up from 825 last year](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/lexington-forms-new-task-force-to-address-growing-homelessness-crisis).

The task force has proposed ambitious recommendations to address the crisis. During a May 13 meeting, members approved $3.9 million in combined appropriations, with $2.4 million designated for emergency disaster shelter funding and $1.5 million for an Innovative and Sustainable Solutions Fund. The group discussed implementing a 500-bed shelter system and establishing a centralized triage center where residents could be directed to appropriate services.

The task force also emphasized creating low-barrier shelter options, enhancing existing facilities, improving case management and developing eviction prevention strategies. Additional recommendations include addressing pet accommodations for homeless individuals and expanding staff training to handle mental health crises.

Information gathered from the listening session will be presented to the full task force and help members develop final recommendations for the Mayor. The task force continues working through subcommittees focused on supportive services, prevention, shelter needs, and financial options.

## Sources

- [LFUCG General News](https://www.lexingtonky.gov/news/mayors-task-force-homelessness-host-virtual-public-listening-session)
- [Task Force on Homelessness background and purpose](https://www.lexingtonky.gov/government/initiatives/task-force-homelessness)
- [Task force outlines ambitious plan to address Lexington homelessness crisis](https://lexingtonky.news/2026/05/13/task-force-outlines-ambitious-plan-to-address-lexington-homelessness-crisis/)
- [Lexington forms new task force to address growing homelessness crisis](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/lexington-forms-new-task-force-to-address-growing-homelessness-crisis)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from LFUCG General News, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://www.lexingtonky.gov/news/mayors-task-force-homelessness-host-virtual-public-listening-session.