LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Thursday marked the first of a four day project that cleans up homeless encampments around the Derby City.
What You Need To Know
- Camp residents have been provided advance notice to move belongings to a close area while cleaning crews from Public Works complete this deep clean of the streets and overpass
- Once cleaning is complete, camp residents will be allowed to move their tents and personal belongings back in place as before
- Outreach services will be on site to help with shelter and supportive services to include using showers and laundry facilities at Wayside Christian Mission
On Thursday, the Louisville Metro Homeless Task Force Core Assessment team, volunteer and nonprofit homeless outreach services, and the Louisville Metro Department of Public Works cleaned up the homeless camp encampment on Jackson Street overpass.
In the past, as Derby week approaches, the city has forced people out from living there, but this year, the city only temporarily asked people to move their belongings for a few hours.
21-day notices were posted at the homeless camps on Jackson Street, Preston Street, and Main Street. 21-day postings at this time are limited to camp cleanings to limit the spread of COVID-19.
“Keep people where they are residing further prevents germs from spreading further around the community. This is probably the best practice for the city to engage in currently,” said Nina Moseley, the Chief Operating Officer at Wayside Christian Mission.
City Works members and volunteers helped homeless people move their tents to the other side of the street in order for the sidewalks to be washed and the trash to be picked up. Once the cleaning was finished and the sidewalks were dry, they were allowed to return their tents and belongings back in place.
Outreach services are available on site to help with shelter and supportive services include using showers and laundry facilities at Wayside Christian Mission.
On Thursday, only one side of Jackson Street was completed. Friday from 8am to 12pm, crews will return to work on the Jackson Street overpass Southbound. On Monday, the groups will focus their attention with the Preston Street overpass. The city plans to wrap up Tuesday with the Main Street overpass.