LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville is weeks away from opening a city-operated homeless camp with the help of millions of dollars from the American Rescue Plan.
Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, St. Vincent de Paul operates a food pantry at 1029 S. Preston Street in Louisville. This area of Louisville has long been a “food desert,” as the nearest chain grocery store is more than a mile away.
“We’re doing grab-n-go as opposed to having people shop,” communications coordinator Beth Haendiges explains.
St. Vincent offers many homeless and housing services, affecting thousands of families every year in the city. The organization also serves two hot meals a day in the former sanctuary, has an overnight shelter, emergency shelter and several subsidized apartments.
Haendiges says among the many challenges facing the Louisville, a lack of affordable housing puts an incredible strain on Kentuckians “Rents are astronomical. You can’t buy a house,” Haendiges said.
Homelessness is visible throughout Louisville and also noticeable is the work happening at 212 East College Street, the location of the forthcoming city-operated homeless campsite called “Hope Village.”
According to initial plans, the “Hope Village,” campsite will provide raised-bed tents for up to 50 people. St. Vincent de Paul is about six blocks away from 212 East College Street.
When it opens, Haendiges expects Hope Village to reach capacity.
“I think they will. There’s so many people who come in, especially during the summer, who need places to stay and there is a lot of people who feel, in need to stay away from the shelters. They feel safer out of the shelters,” Haendiges explains.
During a recent meeting of the Homeless Encampment Task Force, members explained the Hope Village site is having plumbing and electrical work done in order to accommodate having dozens of people stay on the property overnight. The city is spending $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan dollars to build and operate the campsite, and $7.5 million in ARP dollars to turn the administration building on site into housing units. Work on these apartments is expected to start later this year.
Back at St. Vincent de Paul, Haendiges says Louisville’s housing crisis is complex, and the city needs additional shelter space but also thousands more, affordable apartments and homes.
“Let’s face it $12, $15 an hour is over the minimum wage and that’s not going to get you an apartment without multiple roommates.”