LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Homeless camps in Louisville were put on notice that they'll have to clear out.
The city posted a 21-day notice for homeless camps from Jackson St. to Main St., extending for several blocks.
"Housing and Sheltered, that's where we want to go," said Tameka Laird, Director of Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services. "Our houseless population needs services. So we have to do everything that we possibly can to be able to get those services to them And meet them where they are."
But where they are, city officials say is no longer safe or sanitary.
During the 21 days, community partners like Seven Counties, the Healing Place and Wellspring will increase their outreach in the area. Community partners will offer support for mental health and substance abuse, as well as transportation and shelter.
“We know that the homeless residents of our city broadly experience a range of mental illness, including substance use disorder. In fact, addiction remains one of the root causes of why this very vulnerable population is experiencing homelessness, and the effects of the pandemic have exacerbated this over the last 18 months,” Marty Purdy, Vice President of Addiction Services, Seven Counties Services, said.
Officials hope after the notice, homeless camps will decrease and more people will be housed.
"So as these menu of options open up for our homeless and houseless community, we'll be able to provide them with more resources. I think this is a great opportunity in our city right now that we're going to be able to offer these types of services that we've never offered before," said Laird.
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