Is Louisville’s homeless camp ‘clearing spree’ making the problem worse?

Eric, a homeless man in Louisville, was forced to move multiple times after his camp was cleared by city workers using dump trucks and bulldozers. Despite receiving a 21-day notice, he couldn’t find better housing as temporary options were full. He described the experience as unsettling, likening it to a "Whac-A-Mole" situation where people are moved but never given a lasting solution.

Since January, homeless camp clearings in Louisville have surged under Mayor Craig Greenberg’s administration, with 64 camps cleared this year, many with as little as 24-hours notice. These clearings are costly, averaging $7,800 each, and make it harder for outreach workers to provide resources. The city's focus on safety during these clearings has drawn criticism, with nonprofit leaders arguing that Louisville's homeless population has risen due to rising rents and a lack of affordable housing.

The proposed "community cares campus" may provide temporary housing but won’t meet the need, as over 600 people currently live outdoors. Many shelters are full, leaving some homeless individuals with few options. The city had previously provided hotel stays for those displaced, but funding for this program has dwindled. Despite the challenges, efforts like Feed Louisville continue to help, though they lack city support.

Critics, including David Smillie, co-director of Louisville Outreach for the Unsheltered, believe the increased clearings create a hostile environment for homeless individuals without addressing the underlying issue of a housing shortage.

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