SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky. — City council members will consider a proposed camping ordinance on Monday. As Shepherdsville’s homeless population rises, the director of a local nonprofit worries it adds an unfair burden to the houseless.

What You Need To Know

  • The Shepherdsville city council will consider camping ordinance July 10

  • The proposed ordinance will make camping longer than four hours on public and private property illegal in city limits

  • A local nonprofit worries the ordinance would unfairly affect houseless residents

  • The ordinance carries a maximum fine of $200

Shepherdsville’s mayor says the city isn’t targeting any one group with the proposal, and is committed to helping its most vulnerable population.

At the Outreach Thrift Store, it’s Christmas in July, a special summer sale to raise money to support those in need in Bullitt County. Executive Director Perry Cooke says the thrift store is just one facet of Mark 12 Ministries.

Part of their work is helping houseless residents find temporary shelter and more long-term housing. In recent years, Cooke said the number of houseless residents in Bullitt County has risen.

“We have a lot of what they call the ‘invisible homeless.’ Those are folks like a young lady with her two kids that we’re serving right now, living in her van, popping around from parking lot to parking lot wherever she can get some sleep and rest,” Cooke explained.

Cooke is concerned about a proposed city ordinance making it illegal to camp on public or private property for longer than four hours, which may carry a maximum fine of $200.

“We feel that a holistic wraparound approach to help those is much better than going and trying to fine them,” Cooke said.

However, Shepherdsville Mayor Jose Cubero says the city has no intention of handing out fines to homeless residents. “I can tell you the situation with this is basically across the board for the city, but these situations with the less fortunate we are going to try and find them to help them,” Cubero said. “We are not passing out tickets.”

Cubero said city staff remains ready to help individuals connect with organizations, whether it’s finding temporary housing, food or even transportation.

“We want to make sure people truly understand that we’re compassionate. We are trying to help solve it,” Cuber adds.

At the same time, Cooke is uneasy about how a camping ordinance might affect those with nowhere to go—an impact that remains to be seen.

The city of Shepherdsville does not have a city or county-run homeless shelter.

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