(WKYT) – A study by High Rise Financial ranks Kentucky ninth for the largest increase in homelessness.
The study comes as the region saw record gas prices earlier this year, along with rising costs at the grocery store. Two central Kentucky shelters described what they are seeing.
Clark County coalition sees more first-time homelessness
Terry Davidson, interim executive director of the Clark County Homeless Coalition, said more people are turning to the organization to get back on their feet.
“Now it has kind of shifted a little bit more to people who’ve never been homeless before are now becoming homeless,” Davidson said.
Davidson said people are assigned a case manager to lead them on their path home. In the last year, that process has taken months instead of weeks, she said.
“Minimum wage is still $7.25. A lot of jobs might pay $10, but $10 an hour doesn’t pay that rent, let alone the cost of food and the other expenses that have gone up so much,” Davidson said.
Davidson said the groups the coalition serves are changing. She said the coalition is seeing more families and people over the age of 50.
She said that with increasing prices in multiple areas, many people are one missed paycheck away from homelessness.
“We all feel that, you know, I think everybody across the spectrum feels the strain economically these days, and for those who have lower income levels, it’s extremely difficult,” Davidson said.
Jessamine County reports decrease in homelessness
In Jessamine County, Johnny Templin, outreach coordinator for the Jessamine County Homeless Coalition, said the coalition has seen a steady decrease in homelessness for the last several years.
“In 2024, there was 29 people documented. Last year, there was 15 people documented. And the January that just passed that we did it, almost a year ago, the count in Nicholasville was nine individuals,” Templin said.
Templin said that in the last year, residents have come to the coalition after drastic situations, such as evictions, because they aren’t making enough money.
He said that although Jessamine County is seeing improvements, the work is not done.
“There’s situations that we don’t see that’ll never be on a numeric grid or that we see come through these doors,” Templin said.
How to donate
Davidson said people who would like to donate to the Clark County Homeless Coalition can do so on Bluegrass Gives Day on Dec. 1.
Templin said people can donate to the Jessamine County Homeless Coalition, you can Venmo or PayPal @JCHSKY.