How Much Glad People Are For New House! Homeless Support Groups Oppose Safer Kentucky Act
COVINGTON, Kentucky — A comprehensive crime bill in Kentucky that would allow police to prosecute people who sleep outside in public spaces is scheduled to go into effect this summer, just as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to rule on a case with significant concerns regarding the expanding problem of homelessness.
At a time when an unprecedented number of Americans lack a permanent place to live, this is the most important case the High Court has heard on the subject in decades.
The lawsuit began in the small Oregonian town of Grants Pass, where residents were fined $295 for sleeping outside as housing costs increased and makeshift tents appeared in public parks.
The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, located in San Francisco, overturned the statute, ruling that prohibiting camping in areas lacking sufficient shelter beds amounted to cruel and unusual punishment.
Governor Andy Beshear vetoed the bill, claiming that it would criminalize homelessness in Kentucky by making it an offense to engage in “unlawful camping.”
Kentucky needs legislation that holds criminals accountable, according to supporters, but opponents argue that the bill’s “unlawful camping” provision goes too far and could worsen the state of homelessness.
Executive Director Kim Webb of the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky in Covington expressed concern over the fact that there is frequently insufficient capacity at the shelter to accommodate everyone who comes in on any given night.
“Why can’t we provide a place as a shelter that could dedicate space in the communities to allow folks to have that sense of safety and security,” said Webb.
When the new law goes into effect in July, she worries about how much money will be spent on locking up the homeless rather than funding shelters and other organizations that assist individuals in leaving homelessness.
The professor of law at Northern Kentucky University is Michael Mannheimer. In the most recent instance, he believes it is doubtful that the Supreme Court will find against Grant Pass.
But according to Mannheimer, if that occurred, it would have nationwide repercussions and Kentucky might be forced to amend its law against unlicensed camping.