LEXINGTON, Ky. - After hearing from 116 volunteers, Lexington Mayor Jim Gray named 31 people Thursday to a new Commission on Homelessness. Councilman Steve Kay will lead the group along with fellow co-chair Debra Hensley. Kay says he expects the members of the commission to bring ideas and opinions on a variety of issues.
“In my mind it starts with chronic homelessness, which is people who have been homeless who are very difficult to provide services for because of either mental health or addiction issues. And it goes all the way to affordable housing.”
Recently the Lexington Board of Adjustment revoked a conditional-use permit for the Community Inn, a shelter on Winchester Road.
The commission includes representatives from the business community, faith-based organizations, and people who have been or currently are homeless. In addition to Kay and Hensley, the group’s steering committee includes James P. “Ike” Adams, Dean, UK College of Social Work; Mark Davis, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church; and Melody Flowers, Assistant Director for Strategic Planning, UK Healthcare.
Mayor Gray has asked the Commission on Homelessness to report back to him by next January.
