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Metro Council approved $500K for temporary fix to homeless crisis

Metro Council approved more than $500,000 for local nonprofits to help temporarily fix the city's ongoing homeless crisis.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Louisville Metro Council has approved more than $500,000 for a temporary fix to the city's ongoing homeless crisis.

The measure, which passed committee last week, was unanimously passed Thursday night to give $546,791 from the city's budget surplus to local nonprofits. Councilman Bill Hollander said it was a bridge to a permanent solution.

The money will flow to low-barrier sheltering and services. Low-barrier shelters are 24/7 facilities accepting people most might not, like those with mental illness or medical conditions, drug users, or people who want to bring pets and possessions.

RELATED | Low-barrier shelters: The possible solution to Louisville's growing homeless problems

The Louisville and Jefferson County governments are merged and officials say there are roughly 6,000 homeless people in the county. Officials don't expect new shelters to open, but say services and beds could be provided.

As Metro Council works on where and how the money will be spent for the homeless crisis, some city activists are worried the money will not go in the right hands.

MORE | Concern over how money will be used in Louisville homeless crisis

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