BUILD Update
1/30/25
BUILD is deep into the season of research and I want to give you some updates and then dates coming up.
Issue Update
The Eldercare issue, focusing on helping seniors age safely at home is making great progress! We have gone from the city not attending the Nehemiah Action last May to A Caring Place becoming Lexington’s first Village and the city funding a needs assessment! The assessment is now being conducted by researchers at UK. BUILD is monitoring the process and will push for the funding needed to expand this program and support our elders.
The Microtransit feasibility study was started in Nov and is to be finished by June. The research committee has had joint meetings with the Knoxville Justice ministry, JusticeKnox. They are also working on microtransit. Together we have met with Chattanooga and Birmingham, AL and learned from those cities about their microtransit experiences. We have met with the person at Lextran that took Fred Combs' old position and we are encouraged by his interest in microtransit. We also met again with CM Ellinger to fill him in with what we have learned, and hear what he is working on.
The Renters Concerns Committee has met with several renters advocates and city officials. They have learned of a vast array of issues, including long waits for vouchers, code enforcement violations that aren’t addressed. For example, a woman shared that code enforcement condemned her moldy home, forcing her to move within a week, and her landlord still charged her rent. A lawyer shared that tenants get 3 minutes to speak in court before the judge decides if they can keep their homes or become homeless. The committee is continuing to research this problem and looking to narrow it down in the following months.
Upcoming Dates
Mary Queen Network Meeting: Monday, Feb 24, 7 PM at MQ Church. At this meeting we will get updates on the issues and hear testimonies and hear how important it is for us to bring our families and friends to the Nehemiah Action. We will choose the names of people you will invite while enjoying some refreshments.
BUILD Rally: Tues., April 1, 7 PM, MQHR
BUILD Nehemiah Action: Tues., May 6, 6:30, Central Bank Center
BUILD Celebration: TH. June 12, 6:30 MQHR
All are welcome. Contact Kabby with questions ([email protected].)