News Summary
Around 900 members of Lexington’s faith communities gathered for the Nehemiah Action Assembly, addressing key issues like public transportation, housing, and elder support. Hosted by BUILD, local leaders pledged to improve public transit and rental conditions, while emphasizing the importance of collective community efforts in driving social justice.
Lexington – Approximately 900 members from the city’s faith communities gathered at the Central Bank Center for the annual Nehemiah Action Assembly, where key issues such as public transportation, safe housing, and elder support were addressed. The event was hosted by BUILD, a coalition of 26 Fayette County congregations focused on advocating for social justice over the past two decades.
During the assembly, nine members of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council pledged to address the pressing issues of public transportation. They agreed to require funding for a microtransit pilot program within Lextran’s fiscal year 2027 budget, contingent on the findings of an ongoing feasibility study. This commitment comes as BUILD has advocated for the introduction of microtransit services to enhance flexibility and provide on-demand transportation options, supplementing the existing bus services.
According to the Center for Neighborhood Technology, Lexington’s transit system received a concerning score of 4.1 out of 10, reflecting significant shortcomings in meeting the transportation needs of the community. Advocates from BUILD highlighted the inadequacies of paratransit services, particularly for individuals who are visually impaired, emphasizing the need for a more responsive and efficient public transport system.
In a move to drive progress, council members committed to evaluating the microtransit feasibility study within one month of its completion. They also agreed to attend an informational meeting with a Birmingham city council member to learn more about its successful microtransit program. Lextran’s General Manager expressed optimism regarding the potential benefits of microtransit services, reiterating that improvements to paratransit services are already underway.
Alongside transportation concerns, issues surrounding housing were also highlighted during the assembly. A participant shared their frustrating experience with rental properties, detailing persistent problems such as flooding, broken fixtures, and mold. This was met with recognition of the broader issue of landlord accountability in Kentucky, with advocates noting that addressing renters’ concerns would require extensive effort over several years. The commissioner of housing advocacy in Lexington committed to providing BUILD with five years of code enforcement data within 30 days, aiding their ongoing research into rental conditions.
In addition to transportation and housing, BUILD is focusing on establishing a support network for senior residents in Lexington. By promoting the Village to Village Network model, the coalition aims to create a support “village” in every Lexington ZIP code, facilitating independent living for local elders.
The assembly’s culmination was marked by a call for hope and collective action among the attendees, underlining the importance of community advocacy in addressing ongoing crises in Lexington. BUILD’s efforts to tackle these critical challenges highlight the necessity of collaboration between local faith communities and government representatives in effecting meaningful change.
This year’s Nehemiah Action Assembly served as a platform for the voices of marginalized individuals, advocating for a comprehensive approach to tackling public transportation issues, ensuring safe housing, and supporting the aging population within the city. The ongoing commitment by local leaders and the community marks a hopeful step towards addressing these pressing social justice concerns.
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Fayette County News
- Wikipedia: Public Transport
- Kentucky.com: Education News
- Google Search: Community Advocacy in Kentucky
- Spectrum News: Lextran Center Renovations
- Google Scholar: Public Transportation Issues Kentucky
- WIS TV: School Bus Crash News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Social Justice
- Fox 56 News: Lextran Winter Weather Preparations
- Google News: Lexington Community Issues
