LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Catholic Action Center and Street Voice Council in Lexington are hoping to reach individuals without permanent housing. Teams canvassed areas of the city from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Wednesday.

What You Need To Know

  • The street count survey looks to count the number of unhoused people in Lexington 

  • Unlike the HUD studies, this accounts for people in jail, treatment centers and hospitals 

  • Volunteers canvassed areas around Lexington asking homeless individuals about their situation 

  • Last year's survey showed over 2,400 people are unhoused

Volunteers braved the heat while conducting the second annual street count survey. The goal is to paint a comprehensive picture of the face of homelessness in Lexington.

Volunteers like Sarah Smith interviewed people in Lexington’s unhoused community. The goal is getting information to know the needs and struggles homeless individuals face.

“This information is going to let us know how many people are out there who need homes, who need help, see what their conditions are and see what city council can do to help our people here in Lexington,” Smith said.

It’s a story Smith relates to personally.

“I actually understand what they’re going through. I’m also in a shelter right now and I want to come out here and get other people’s conditions and see what happened to them and why they’re in this predicament. These people, we’re not bad people,” Smith said.

Volunteers canvassed areas around the city. Nancy Barnett was out in the streets. It’s her first time doing any volunteer work like this.

“It’s incredibly humbling. I’m inspired with their resilience and their resourcefulness. I’m saddened and devastated by their stories. They’re humans,” Barnett said.

Last year’s survey found over 2,400 people in Lexington are unhoused. Those agreeing to a survey have their identities protected and were given a McDonald’s gift card for their time. Barnett said she feels a responsibility to care about all of her neighbors, housed or unhoused.

“One of my tenants in life is you don’t know yourself until you put yourself into uncomfortable positions, so I will be a better person, having known more about this issue. It’s something that affects all of us. We all have to grapple with the feeling of when we see somebody that you know is living on the streets. It’s heart wrenching,” Barnett said.

Results of the survey will be published and made available to the public by mid-September.

This street count also includes people in jail, hospitals and treatment centers. Surveys conducted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development do not.

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