Rural homelessness in Kentucky presents a unique set of challenges for those attempting to help. According to a Kentucky Housing Task Force report from 2024, homelessness is perceived as an urban problem.
However, the number of unsheltered homeless people outside of Lexington and Louisville has rapidly increased, from 650 in 2019 to more than 1,000 by 2024.
Liam Niemeyer is a reporter for the Kentucky Lantern. He’s been working on a series about rural homelessness in Kentucky. In an interview with WEKU, he stated that the lack of people in these areas limits how much assistance can be provided.
“With fewer people, there are generally fewer financial resources to mobilize. Muhlenberg County has high poverty rates and is still transitioning from its coal mining legacy.”
He stated that rural areas of Kentucky, particularly the former coal fields, are struggling.
“It’s still trying to find its economic future, and with that sort of economic transition comes, maybe not as many resources, financially, to help people who are experiencing homelessness as there may be in a larger city like Louisville or Nashville.”
According to Niemeyer, some of the most common issues that homeless people face are addiction and mental health issues. He explained that while some people can work, others struggle to find work, and having limited or no transportation to get to work does not help.
