LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Police were dressed in yellow boots and gas masks when they entered inside the vacant Kentucky Home Life Building at 5th and Jefferson on Friday.
The historic skyscraper sits across the street from the mayor's office. Police found trespassers who had been camping inside the building.
"Some of those people who were removed from that building today, they are frequent visitors of The Hope Village, and you know we only have about 40-45 spots," said Stachelle Bussey, creator of The Hope Village.
Bussey is one of the city's best known voices for helping the houseless. She said it's tough for people to afford housing with the cost of living on the rise.
"It used to be because of mental health and addiction issues now people just don't have no money and that's just is what it is, people are priced out of the city, people can't live, people can barely afford to live so we got a crisis," Bussey said.
She explained the houseless population is on the rise, and people are just trying to survive. Bussey said The Hope Village funds got trimmed in the latest city budget, hurting their momentum.
"As the curator and the brainchild of The Hope Village I got people there who are fighting, I have workers who are fighting, like we're fighting for our survival," said Bussey.
The skyscraper camping also hit home for folks being temporarily housed at the Arthur Street Hotel in Old Louisville.
"I think it's always concerning knowing that the shelters are full in this city," Savvy Hughes said.
Hughes is a community support advocate at the Arthur Street Hotel. It's been in operation for about two years, starting as an outreach team and now a transitional housing facility.
She wants to see the abandoned buildings turned into housing.
"I think the city has a lot of potential properties that could be utilized in providing services, obviously a key component in that is funding," said Hughes.
Bussey agreed.
"I think the keyword that everyone is kind of missing is a 'vacant' building that should tell you enough," she said.
Bussey also hoped the vacant buildings could eventually be homes for the houseless.
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