By Ginny Ramsey

Director of the Catholic Action Center

 

The Lexington Street Voice Council hosted a luncheon at the Capitol Annex for the KY legislators on Feb. 7 to give the lawmakers the opportunity to hear their stories, and understand the reasons they are experiencing homelessness. Over 65 legislators shared a meal with those who have no place to call home; men and women who would be impacted by HB 5 that criminalizes homelessness.

They heard about the childhoods of the SVC members: where they attended school and church, their favorite pet, their favorite subject in school, who had the most influence on their lives and how they traveled the path to homelessness. It was courageous of the legislators to share this sacred time with those who are often the “invisible” in our society.

Some paint the face of homelessness as one of irresponsibility, addiction and criminality; those who choose to not be responsible for their basic need of shelter. Sadly, many “Think Tanks” and “Institutes” that study homelessness are quick to blame the individuals experiencing homelessness because if we blame, demonize and criminalize the people, then it is their fault. This narrative is dangerous for our hearts and souls: It allows the belief that none of us are responsible for homelessness: not the government, not the community, not the churches, not any of us who have worked hard to shelter ourselves all our lives.

One of these “Think Tanks” had provided a 1,500 participant survey to the KY legislators which painted the picture that KY citizens were in favor of criminalizing homelessness. The questions did not address the unintended consequences of HB 5, but framed those experiencing homelessness as addicts and criminals.

The Street Voice Council in collaboration with other groups surveyed over 2,000 KY citizens about the actual impact of HB 5 on unhoused citizens, and overwhelmingly the responses were against the provisions of HB 5 that criminalized the unsheltered. It was noted in the SVC survey that it is unlawful NOW, without HB 5, for any citizen to trespass, loiter, destroy property or commit crimes. The SVC survey had over 85% of participants say that the addition of the provisions in HB 5 does NOT make KY safer but instead burdens public safety officers to cite, arrest and jail lawful citizens who are unsheltered when there aren’t enough shelter beds for them. The results of the SVC survey were made available after the legislators shared lunch with the Street Voice Council.

After 24 years of hearing the voices of the unhoused, my unwavering belief is poverty is the cause of homelessness.

Whether it be the single mom with 4 kids who was living on the brink of poverty when a car repair and health issues tipped the family into homelessness, or the elderly gentleman who lost his wife, his support system, suffered health issues and was unable to function until one day he lost his home. There are addicts and criminals who are unhoused, just as there are addicts and criminals who are housed in all neighborhoods across the state, but the vast majority of those experiencing homelessness are NOT addicts and criminals, just poor.

We all know that wages are not keeping up with rental costs. We all know affordable housing is in too short supply.

Please don’t put our fellow Kentucky homeless families, disabled/elderly citizens, struggling men and women in the picture that is painted of irresponsibility, addiction and criminality. These folks are left on the streets with no where to go–shelters are full, services are overwhelmed and they are suffering.

Information on KY Citizen Survey on the Criminalization of Homelessness and The Street Voice Council can be found at: www.catholicactioncenter.net