FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 10, 2026) — Kentucky experienced one of the nation’s sharpest increases in homelessness between 2024 and 2025, with the number of people experiencing homelessness climbing more than 10% even as the state’s population grew by less than 1%, according to a new analysis of federal housing data.
The study, conducted by High Rise Financial, found that Kentucky’s homelessness rate increased 9.76%, the ninth-largest percentage increase among all 50 states. The number of Kentuckians counted as experiencing homelessness rose from 5,231 in January 2024 to 5,789 in January 2025, an increase of 558 people.
The findings highlight a growing challenge for communities across the Commonwealth as housing affordability, shelter capacity and access to stable housing remain important concerns for local governments, nonprofit organizations and social service providers…