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HUD Secretary Ben Carson Tours Homeless Facilities In Lexington

Karyn Czar

The US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is in Kentucky today to meet with homeless non-profit organization leaders and the people they serve across the state. WUKY’s Karyn Czar reports.

Dr. Ben Carson stopped at the Lexington Hope Center Thursday morning and met one-on-one with men who have struggled with opioid addiction and are in recovery. Carson said understanding that addiction is a disease has helped those that are struggling and their loved ones who try to help them heal. Carson hopes an app that’s being developed by HUD that marries needs with resources will help.

"So often the need and the resources are sitting next door to each other but they don't know it," Carson said.  "There's so much good in our society and so many people want to be mentors but they don't know what the mechanism is of becoming a mentor.  We're going to clarify that and make it easier for people to understand," Carson explained.

Credit Karyn Czar
Dr. Ben Carson toured Lexington's Hope Center along with Republican Congressman Andy Barr and Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin

Carson said there are organizations willing to help with child care, job training and placement. He believes public private partnerships are keys to solving the drug epidemic across the country. Earlier this year, HUD provided more than $2 billion to fund homeless prevention efforts. Carson says the number of homeless who are addicted to opioids continues to grow.

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