The February Point-in-Time Count, released this month by the Kentucky Housing Corporation, found 5,734 people across all 120 counties living without a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence — the federal definition used for the survey. That is a slight decrease from 5,789 people counted in 2025.

The totals include people who are unsheltered, staying in emergency shelters or in transitional housing.

Louisville recorded a 12% year-over-year decline, from 1,831 people to 1,609. But Lexington and the 118 counties outside the state's two largest cities — a region known as the "Balance of State" — each saw increases of more than 4%.

Shaye Rabold, a technical administrator for the Kentucky Housing Corporation, described the statewide figure as a "slowdown" in the rate of homelessness following years of sharper increases. She credited Louisville with making notable local investments in permanent supportive housing, which pairs permanent housing with services such as utility and child care assistance, substance abuse treatment and other support.

"The reality is the resources in most of our counties are not enough," Rabold said, noting that many counties lack emergency shelters altogether. "There's just simply not enough existing affordable housing for people to identify on their own."

Rabold said the shortage of affordable housing remains the primary driver of homelessness, though mental health and substance use disorders can also play a role. A Kentucky Housing Corporation executive said earlier this year that the state is still not building nearly enough homes, particularly for low-income residents, to close its housing gap.

Adrienne Bush, executive director of the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky, said federal efforts to shift funding away from permanent supportive housing programs — currently tied up in litigation — have had a "huge impact" and created uncertainty for local organizations.

"I just can't emphasize enough how that disruption really ultimately impacts the people who are currently experiencing homelessness and who are seeking services," Bush said.

She said she would not be surprised if next year's count shows an increase, because organizations in Kentucky have been unable to fully deploy federal funding amid the uncertainty.

The Point-in-Time Count is conducted each year by volunteers and outreach workers who seek to tally people without stable housing. Advocates caution that the survey is a snapshot and likely undercounts the true number of people experiencing homelessness.