LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville homeless camp is cleared due to health and safety concerns.
On one of the coldest morning in months Ray and his wife Rachel only have a few hours left to collect what few belongings they have. Ray says he’s been staying at the homeless camp at S. 10th and Market for three weeks.
“I like being out here. It’s a real freedom. I do what I want, when I want and how I want,” Ray said.
Ray said he could afford an apartment with money he receives each month from the Veterans Administration. He chooses not to.
“I don’t have bills. I have to purchase narcotics. That’s about the only I have to pay for and half the time I ain’t have to for that because people are quick just to hand it out.”
The decision to leave this camp was made by anyone staying at this particular homeless camp. On Monday a notice to vacate the property was posted by Louisville Public Works. It gave Ray and others 72 hours to go elsewhere. Even with available shelter space available Ray is an example of Louisville’s homeless choosing to stay outside, in tents or camps like this.
Ray’s greatest challenge of the day will be moving his larger items to a different site closer to the river. He’d like to take several pallets with him to use for a new shelter but that might not happen. To many, his situation appear may bleak, but Ray disagrees.
“Just because we live in tents and have tattoos and get high sometimes doesn’t make it any different or any worse than anybody else. We are just the same as they are.”
Shortly afternoon noon Ray pulled his belongings across Market Street and public works employees began clearing the camp. The camp is inundated with trash, bicycle parts, and countless discarded syringes.
“I don’t know why the city thinks they are doing anyone any favors because we aren’t really bothering anybody. I mean, granted, we are kind of in the middle of everything but we had our wall up and we stayed behind it and minded out own business,” Ray said.