Mayor's Task Force to End Homelessness
Watch the official video · Markdown version · Full transcript (text)
Summary
Meeting Overview
This meeting of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government included four agenda items, all of which were informational in nature. The session featured subcommittee reports covering four areas: Supportive Services and Prevention Services, Funding and Partnership, Peer Cities and Shelter Models, and Community Engagement. No votes were taken during the meeting, reflecting its informational and deliberative character. One public comment was heard over the course of the proceedings.
Attendance
The following members were present at the February 12, 2026 meeting:
- T.C. Second
- Charlie
- David
- Zach
- Council Member Sheehan
- Council Member Morton
- Councilman Brown
- Jenny
- Councilperson Ellinger
- Greg
No members were recorded as absent or late.
Public Comment
One member of the public addressed the meeting during the public comment period. 44:00
The speaker raised the topic of the waitlist for services, highlighting a notable geographic concentration among those waiting. Specifically, the speaker noted that at least 50% of individuals on the waitlist are from Lexington and Fayette County. No additional details about the speaker's identity or affiliation were provided in the record.
Supportive Services and Prevention Services Subcommittee Report
The Supportive Services and Prevention Services Subcommittee presented an informational report on its recent activities and upcoming plans.
Key Speakers: Charlie and David
Discussion Highlights:
- The subcommittee discussed plans to host a community roundtable focused on examining agency services, identifying barriers to access, and pinpointing gaps in available services for the community.
- Two primary needs were highlighted as central concerns coming out of subcommittee discussions:
- Case management services — identified as a critical area where additional support and coordination are needed.
- Affordable housing — noted as a significant and ongoing gap affecting the populations served.
Outcome:
This item was informational in nature. No formal action or vote was taken. The report served to update the broader body on the subcommittee's direction and focus areas as it moves toward organizing the community roundtable.
Funding and Partnership Subcommittee Report
The Funding and Partnership Subcommittee provided an update on its ongoing work at the February 12, 2026 meeting. Zach reported on behalf of the subcommittee, noting that members have continued gathering information on both local and federal funding sources related to homelessness prevention and intervention.
The subcommittee's work at this stage remains focused on research and information collection, with the group working toward developing potential recommendations based on its findings. No final recommendations were presented at this meeting.
The item was informational in nature, and no formal action or vote was taken.
Peer Cities and Shelter Models Subcommittee Report
Council Member Morton presented findings from the Peer Cities and Shelter Models Subcommittee, focusing on the Nashville Rescue Mission as a potential model for consideration in Lexington.
The subcommittee examined the Nashville Rescue Mission's operational structure, noting that it runs on a $15 million annual budget funded entirely through private sources. The discussion centered on what aspects of this model might be applicable or transferable to Lexington's context.
The item was informational in nature, with no formal action taken or vote recorded. The subcommittee's report appears to be part of a broader ongoing effort to evaluate how peer cities are addressing shelter needs and whether successful models from other communities could inform Lexington's approach.
Community Engagement Subcommittee Report
The Community Engagement Subcommittee presented an informational report during the February 12, 2026 meeting, outlining plans to conduct listening sessions with various community groups in order to gather input on homelessness solutions.
Key speakers on this item were Councilperson Ellinger and Jenny, who presented the subcommittee's plans. The report focused on the subcommittee's intent to engage directly with community stakeholders as part of a broader effort to inform the body's approach to addressing homelessness.
The item was discussed as an informational matter, and no formal vote or decision was required. The outcome of the discussion was informational in nature, with the subcommittee's plans noted by the body.