LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton spoke Thursday about the issue of homelessness for veterans in Lexington.
Back in 2014, former President Barack Obama challenged individual cities to put an end to the homeless crisis involving our veterans. Thursday, Mayor Gordon announced that Lexington will be Kentucky’s first city to answer that call.
With various programs having been put in place and funded, the city is now in a position to put a roof over the heads of any veteran in need here in Lexington. With grants from Veterans’ Affairs and Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Gorton says that no veteran without a home will have to be without one for very long.
Former Lexington Mayor Jim Gray began to lay the groundwork in 2014, and Gorton finished it. She said the cause is personal to her.
“I am a military spouse. My husband is retired Arny and Army Reserve. He served 39 1/2 years. And I’m a military mom. My son is active duty Army, and my son-in-law is active duty Air Force. We are all in!” Gorton said.
She added that she knows not every veteran can, or will be helped immediately, but having the program in place can and will reduce the time a veteran is without a home.
Navy Veteran Gerald Tubbs was living on park benches for six months, he tells LEX 18 that the program created in Lexington has restored his dignity.
“Life kind of put me back on the streets, and I turned to HUD for their help, and they got me into transitional housing quickly,” he told LEX 18.
