Use your voice to support Louisville's homeless and protect public safety

Natalie Harris

Opinion contributor

As a believer in public participation, I hope each of you reading this article participated in the public hearings held throughout Metro Louisville outlining the heavy burden placed on our local government due mostly to unaddressed pension needs. If you did not, I suspect that you are confused by conflicting public comments about the gap, what is in the city budget that can be cut and how difficult this will be.

The week after Metro Council voted not to address any part of the city’s looming $35 million deficit with an insurance premium tax increase, several members even stated they plan to create a leaner budget without making any sacrifices to public safety and that these cuts will make the city stronger.

This makes me believe those making such statements either do not understand what portion of the budget funds public safety or do not know what public safety looks like.

The Coalition for the Homeless represents 30 member agencies, and we partner with dozens more to address the results of system failures that cause people to become homeless in our city. We also support the efforts of those who work tirelessly to address these gaps in our broken systems to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place. We know that this prevention work is much less costly than the homeless services, drug treatment, incarceration, chronic health and eviction services that are being sought by more people than our community can address.

We work hand in hand with local police, Public Works and public health who all do amazing work to address a rising drug crisis, disease outbreaks and increased refuge on our streets resulting from increased street homelessness without an increase in resources. These services are invaluable and literally save lives. But homeless shelter and services are also public safety:

•Louisville’s shelters are overflowing the 618 beds available each evening even on White Flag nights when space is opened for 160 more.

•The addiction crisis is taking lives and creating homelessness. Our city needs additional drug-assisted treatment and cannot afford to lose the mobile van that provides needle exchange or safe housing for children of parents who need these services.

•Supportive housing with support saves the community $16,000 per person per year in health and safety costs.

•Illegal practices and non-compliance with existing codes make neighborhoods poorer and less safe. We need increased code enforcement, not less.

•Louisville’s eviction rate is double that of the national average. Preventing evictions helps families stabilize and find work in our community.

•Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, Neighborhood Place and community ministry programs and community centers help families prevent eviction, violence and unsafe choices.

Also:Louisville just closed a large homeless camp. Here's how you can help

I am writing as a representative of all who provide public health and safety services to say that we cannot afford to lose these valuable services. They include police, public health, Public Works and code enforcement. But they also include resilience and community services programs and funding that maintains homeless shelters, outreach, evidenced-based drug treatment and prevention.

I am asking those who believe in public safety to contact your Metro Council members on April 26 (the day after the mayor presents his budget) at this link to make it clear we cannot afford to sacrifice public safety, and that includes shelter and services for those in greatest need. Now is the time if we wish to be heard before the budget is set, because I do believe in public participation.

Natalie Harris is executive director of the Coalition for the Homeless.