When Aidan and his mother moved to Lexington, they were hoping for a fresh start. But shortly after arriving, Aidan’s mother underwent a difficult surgery that left her unable to work or even care for herself. At just 17 years old, Aidan made the difficult decision to leave high school and become her full-time caregiver.
With no income, no local support system, and mounting uncertainty, the two of them faced imminent homelessness.
That’s when a hospital social worker referred them to the Council. Our Office of Housing and Homelessness Services (OHHS) provides more than 2,000 intervention actions every year that throw a lifeline to individuals and families in crisis. For Aidan and his mother, that lifeline came in the form of the agency’s latest program, the Transitional Housing Pilot Program (THPP).
Following the success of an 18-month transitional housing program that was conducted during the national economic emergency in 2020, which stabilized roughly one out of every 10 renter households in Fayette County, we were ready to move deeper into the housing space.
THPP launched in 2024 with funding from the City of Lexington’s Housing Advocacy and Community Development Division and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The program saw the Council successfully convert scattered-site homes into permanent additions to Lexington’s affordable housing stock.
THPP is unique among local programs because it’s backed by the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)—a critical resource that allows the Council to offer not just shelter, but wraparound services that help families stabilize and rebuild their lives.
For Aidan and his mother, THPP was life-changing. The program provided safe, temporary housing and access to case management that helped them navigate one of the most difficult periods of their lives.
Then, tragedy struck. Aidan’s mother passed away, leaving him alone, facing homelessness again, and unsure of how to move forward.
But the Council was there.
Our Housing team worked closely with Aidan to guide him through the next chapter of his life. They helped him secure stable housing through the Lexington Housing Authority, connected him with job training at Goodwill, and stood beside him as he took his first steps into adulthood—all while continuing to offer encouragement and guidance.
“Aiden is such a mannerly young man,” said SOAR Specialist Coordinator Evelyn Morton, who worked directly with Aiden. “He is a man of character who is doing his best after seeing so many challenges in his life.”
Today, Aidan is employed full-time and has even received a promotion! He lives independently and without agency assistance, though he still checks in with us now and then when he needs a little advice.
His story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we invest in our communities. Through programs like THPP and a comprehensive approach to housing and stability, Community Action Council is helping individuals like Aidan not just survive but thrive.