LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Louisville hotel that provides housing and support for people experiencing homelessness is asking the city for help keeping its doors open.

The Arthur Street Hotel houses more than 200 people at no cost to those staying there.

VOCAL-KY, a local advocacy organization, said at a press conference Tuesday it wants Louisville to invest $1 million into the hotel to turn it into permanent affordable housing.

"Arthur Street Hotel is more than a building," said Christen "Tiny" Herron, the Director of Housing Services. "It is a lifeline for some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Arthur Street offers something our city needs and something that is not offered anywhere else in Louisville."

Mayor Craig Greenberg unveiled his $1.1 billion budget proposal last month, which included money for affordable housing and other groups. However, providers at the hotel said they were left out of the spending plan.

"It is a very big disservice," said one community advocate. "Everybody in the city says 'oh, we gotta do something with our houseless population.' We keep seeing buildings being built and all of this other stuff, but I don't see anything happening."

Without city financial support, those who work at the hotel said they might have to cut down on operations or even close.

A spokesperson for the mayor's office said Greenberg is working with the hotel on a proposal to "provide permanent supportive housing to individuals experiencing homelessness in Louisville" and is "currently awaiting those details." 

"Mayor Greenberg is supporting innovative and proven practices to help those experiencing homelessness find stability," the statement said.

More budget hearings for city will be held via teleconference on Thursday, May 26 at 3 p.m.

Metro Council has until the end of June to pass the full city budget.

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