Like any major city, Louisville, KY is not immune to the circumstances surrounding homelessness. Though the city and state have made some progress in establishing protection for those in the community who are displaced, they have failed to provide adequate resources to address concerns that led individuals to homelessness. 

Grassroots organizations came to meet him in the middle of his crisis; finding out what basic needs were most needed. Together they were able to get him some gear, phone numbers to resources, and a much needed phone. He agreed to go downtown to a shelter within the next couple days to follow. And he did.

He didn’t stay for several reasons; 1. The staff were not accommodating in answering questions 2. Allowed him in for dinner and then he had to stand back outside for two hours despite having a bed reserved at the Salvation Army 3. He did not receive a towel or hygiene so that he could shower 4. It was uncomfortable because it was almost 20 miles away from the place he had called home for over 40 years 5. He knew no one and had no clue what to expect and it riddled his anxiety.

The next day, despite his efforts to try and make it work, he found a way back out to his home. He opted to sleep in his shed and was awaiting insurance to make a final decision. Then the cold weather came. The last time outreach saw him was early Sunday afternoon.

We received the news that the gentleman had passed away in the very shed he sought refuge. The bitter cold temperatures took his life.

For years we have spoke to city and state leaders and practically begged for services outside of downtown. But it seems no matter what we say or do we have yet to see that happen.

The homeless Bill of Rights is not law in the state of Kentucky. Moving forward we must call on all Federal, State and local leaders to stand up and do the right thing! 

What does the Bill of Rights look like? Please see below, sign the petition and share! 

HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS
In line with our Nation’s Bill of Rights and duty to respect and uphold the rights of people who are experiencing homelessness, in particular their right to housing. While working towards that goal we are determined not to contribute in any way to the harsh and inhuman conditions too often experienced by people who do not have a place to live.

In common with cities throughout The United States of America, are facing challenges in providing sufficient social and affordable housing and even the necessary number of beds in emergency accommodation. The burdens of joblessness and poverty are increasingly falling on a proportion of our population and pressure on public resources and services is growing.
Given this situation, we believe it is the responsibility of all individuals, businesses and organizations, and of all local authorities, including our city and state authority, to maximize their contribution to improving the living conditions of people who are homeless, and to lessen the negative effects of homelessness.

To help achieve this, the Community believes every person who is experiencing homelessness is entitled to the same treatment as any other resident in the city or state. No one should be denied further rights because they are homeless.
In particular we commit ourselves to working towards realizing the following rights:

I. The most important right a homeless person has is to exit homelessness. Services supporting access to appropriate housing solutions must be accessible to all homeless people. In partnership with other competent public authorities, the State of Kentucky shall work to ensure that there are sufficient numbers of housing solutions to meet the needs.

II. Where housing cannot be immediately provided, access to decent emergency accommodation must be accessible to all people who are homeless. The Council is committed to working with the competent public authorities to ensure that there is sufficient emergency accommodation available to all, so that no one is forced to sleep rough for want of a bed. This includes implementation of an auditing system to ensure they are treated humanely in a clean and safe environment.

III. People who are homeless should have the same right to use public space and to move freely within it, with no greater restrictions than apply to others. This includes, but is not limited to, access to pavements, public parks, public transport and public buildings on the same terms as any other resident of the State of Kentucky. The same rules that apply to resting in public space should apply to everyone, with no additional restriction upon people who are homeless.

IV. The state is committed to ensuring that their staff and services uphold the right to equal treatment for all, without discriminating against those who do not have a home.

V. People who are homeless often experience additional denial of rights in the labour market and provision of public services because they cannot provide a postal address. The state of Kentucky is committed to providing an effective postal address of last resort to people who are homeless and require this assistance.

VI. Where the state of Kentucky is unable to provide appropriate services linked to the emergency accommodation, we commit to providing for the right to access basic sanitary facilities – running water (drinking fountains), showers and toilets sufficient to allow for the level of hygiene appropriate to maintaining human dignity.

VII. The right to emergency services – social services, health services, the police and the fire service – on equal terms with any other resident of the state of Kentucky, without being discriminated against because of their housing situation or their physical appearance.

VIII. The right to vote, to be included on the electoral register and to be given the necessary documents to prove their identity when voting in elections, without being discriminated against because of their housing situation.

IX. The right to data protection, with their data only shared by public and other services with their consent and only for the purposes of providing services and solutions to them. Homeless people have the same right as other citizens to exercise control over their personal details, particularly their health information, their criminal record if they have one, their housing trajectory and their private life and family history.

X. The right to privacy must be respected and protected to the fullest extent possible in all types of accommodation, including communal accommodation structures and informal accommodation lived in by homeless people. The State of Kentucky is committed to working to ensure that all emergency accommodation provided can deliver on this right.

XI. The right to carry out practices necessary to survival within the law. While the State of Kentucky strives for a state in which such practices are not necessary, we recognize that where people have no other option they will seek support from other people through begging or forage for discarded food to survive. Such survival practices should not be criminalized in their own right, banned or arbitrarily confined to specific areas.

Will you stand with us? #endhomelessness #homelessbillofrights #nostigmas #communityhelpingcommunity