LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, which upheld a ban on camping in public spaces, will soon begin to impact the commonwealth.
What You Need To Know
- Advocates for the homeless and other leaders gathered in Lexington
- They discussed how the Supreme Court's ruling in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson will affect others while looking at this year's homelessness and housing assessment
- The ruling means cities can ban camping in public spaces
- It will affect Kentucky, as the Safer Kentucky Act goes into effect July 15
With a Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council member in their presence, business leaders, faith leaders and advocates for the homeless came together at Legends Field to shine a light on how the Supreme Court’s ruling will affect those in the community and beyond.
Signs reading "Ain’t no crime to be homeless” and “Being poor is not a crime. Homelessness hurts” were on display as leaders took a deep look into the 2024 Homeless and Housing Report from the Central Kentucky Housing and Homeless Initiative. It shows an overall increase among those without permanent shelter in Lexington ahead of the Safer Kentucky Act. The legislation bans outdoor camping with strict consequences for violators.
Rodney Rittenberry, a military veteran who served for 19 years before being discharged, has been homeless for more than 20 years. He said those who are homeless face harsh conditions and expectations.
“Right now, this almost reminds me of being in the yard, since we've been homeless," Rittenberry said. "We feel like we're restricted. We can't do anything. Don't even ... we are just a number.”
James Woodhead, a Fayette County Public Schools teacher, is highlighting the impact of this issue on families. He teaches at Harrison Elementary in Lexington and said numbers have risen to more than 90% of students being considered economically disadvantaged.
"I don't know how anyone can consider that to be acceptable, especially when our school is the oldest existing school in Fayette County Public Schools, and it's in the heart of Lexington,” Woodhead said.
Leaders said it will take collective solutions, passion and speaking up to make a difference.
"So many abandoned houses, so many abandoned buildings; we have corporations that are not in existence anymore," said LFUCG member Tayna Fogle. "They can be transformed into some type of housing."
"Start thinking out of the box, Lexington. We can do this."
The Safer Kentucky Act goes into effect July 15.