Coalition for the Homeless

“@louhomeless sends out a daily alert regarding shelter capacity. As I write this, there are no remaining shelter beds for Louisville's homeless population.”

I've experienced homelessness. The Supreme Court and Kentucky criminalizing it is cruel. courier-journal.com/story/opinion/…

And here's who signed on. Part 1:

More than 100 Kentucky organizations have signed on to a letter asking lawmakers to reject the harmful policies in House Bill 5. Here's the letter:

“Housing advocates, including @louhomeless in Louisville, say the bills threaten to move the state backwards when it comes to dealing with the affordable housing crisis.” lpm.org/news/2024-02-0…

House Bill 5 (“Safer Kentucky Act”) passed the House 72-22. But 1,000+ of you acted this wk to oppose it. THANK YOU! Next up: Senate. Call 1-800-372-7181 & leave this msg for your Senator: “HB5 criminalizes poverty. It is expensive, cruel, doesn’t solve KY’s problems. Vote no.”

Kentucky’s Senate has voted to preempt a section of Louisville’s fair housing law, returning to the day when landlords can say “your money’s no good here”. Louisville unanimously banned that practice three years ago, joining many states and cities. It’s a huge step backwards.

The Kentucky House of Representatives is voting on House Bill 5 (the “Safer Kentucky Act”) TODAY, Wednesday, 1/24. Email your rep NOW to say NO to HB 5 and to the criminalization of homelessness: secure.everyaction.com/92-ZNaCrYkyTLG….

Who does this bill make safer? Jail doesn't make unhoused people safe, and it doesn't end homelessness, either. We need solutions for our fellow Kentuckians, not criminalization. Email the House now and urge them to vote no on HB 5: secure.everyaction.com/92-ZNaCrYkyTLG…! 3/3

HB 5 would 🚓Criminalize homelessness—even families sleeping in their cars 🔫Protect property owners who use force against unhoused people 🏠Criminalize tenant damages to rental units, even under $50 🚫Limit $ for Housing First programs (which have a 97% success rate here!) 2/3

The Kentucky House of Representatives is voting on House Bill 5 (the “Safer Kentucky Act”) tomorrow, Wednesday, 1/24. Email your rep NOW to say NO to HB 5 + to the criminalization of homelessness: secure.everyaction.com/92-ZNaCrYkyTLG…. 1/3

Thank you to the representatives who spoke up to oppose this. We need more people speaking up, particularly when the entire argument in favor of preemption was based on false statements. courier-journal.com/story/opinion/…

Kentucky’s House has voted to preempt part of Louisville’s fair housing law. Like many states and cities, Metro Council unanimously banned housing discrimination based on a tenant’s source of income. Frankfort voted to allow those “your money’s no good here” signs to go back up.

TUNE IN -- State Rep. @KeturahHerron is now on @KyTonightKET to discuss #KYGA24's House Bill 5, criminal-justice legislation drawing significant concerns. Advocates joining her side are @ACLUofKY's Kungu Njuguna, left, and George Eklund of @louhomeless.

Watch Kentucky Tonight for a look at the Safer Kentucky Act (HB 5) with Rep. Jared Bauman, Rep. @jmnemes, Rep. @KeturahHerron, George Eklund from @louhomeless, @KunguNjuguna2 of @ACLUofKY and Ryan @StrawFOP of @KYSTATEFOP. Join @ReneeKET at 8.

Thanks to former Councilperson Bill Hollander for posting his op-ed on source of income protections! courier-journal.com/story/opinion/… #kyga24 #endhomelessness #HousingForAll

ALERT: call your KY lawmakers NOW by dialing 1-800-372-7181. Ask them to OPPOSE SB 25 + HB 18: “I’d like to leave a message for my members of the House + Senate to oppose Senate Bill 25 + House Bill 18. Cities must be able to protect rights of poor people w housing vouchers!”

@KyPolicy @KeturahHerron @RepNimaKulkarni @ACLUofKY @bailproject @VOCALKentucky @LouisvilleUL HB 5 has passed out of committee with 13 yes votes, 5 no votes, and one pass. It will be heard on the House floor next week. Please call your legislators at 1-800-372-7181 and ask them to vote NO on House Bill 5, which would further criminalize poverty and homelessness.

@KyPolicy @KeturahHerron @RepNimaKulkarni @ACLUofKY @bailproject @VOCALKentucky Felicia Nu'Man, @LouisvilleUL, brings her former experience as a prosecutor. "We cannot continue to incarcerate everyone. It is an emotional response. We need evidence-based solutions to crime." 24/

We're LIVE at the House Judiciary Committee in Frankfort to voice opposition to HB 5, the Safer Kentucky Act, which would criminalize homelessness without offering any more funding or assistance. Read our one-pager louhomeless.org/wp-content/upl… and follow along here. 🧵 #KYGA24