Black Church Coalition in Lexington aids families facing housing instability

Black faith leaders gathered at Shiloh Baptist Church in Lexington to support families experiencing financial hardship, WKYT reported. The Black Church Coalition, active for over four decades, focuses on preventing homelessness among local families.

According to TC Johnson, over 900 students in the Lexington school system were identified as homeless in the past school year, a figure that likely underrepresents the true number. Housing instability often forces families to stay in hotels or share housing with others.

Danielle Sanders from LFUCG Community and Resident Services explained that the coalition provides critical financial assistance, such as rent and utility payments, when families have exhausted other resources. This aid can be the difference between keeping or losing a home.

Gerri Botts Stuart of Bluegrass Care Navigators highlighted the impact of unpaid utility bills on housing security, noting that losing electricity can put families at risk of eviction. The coalition's origins date back to 1983, when four churches combined funds to help families in need.

The Rev. Marvin King Jr. emphasized the importance of extending the coalition's mission beyond the church walls to live out their faith through community support.