LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Louisville's office that deals with one of the most vulnerable populations in the city will have to do with less funding.
One of the hundreds of Louisville’s homeless is a guy named Rodney. He didn’t want to share his last name. Thursday afternoon as the rain came through town, Rodney was with a group of homeless men seeking shelter under the Interstate 65 overpass on Jacob Street.
The smell of urine, feces and old, burnt-out fires is horrible. Some of the men tell us they have been trying to get off the street, while others just say they are fine where they are.
“I never had nobody from the city try and help," Rodney told WDRB’s Richard Essex.
He has been on the street for 10 years.
Rodney is one of nearly 600 people that, according to city numbers, are living on the street full time. Another 1,100 are living in temporary shelters.
“And for us, serving those least likely to ever find housing and to die on the street, if we provide them with six months of a safe place and reconnection with family, that is a win," Patricia Williams, Co-Director of Resilience and Community Services, said.
The federal government is cutting $3 million of the Resilience and Community Services' budget, and the mayor's recommended budget is cutting about $1 million.
The office has seen an increase in rental assistance funding and grants to agencies that need help get people off the streets or help pay rent, and other basic needs.
“We know that there are more individuals receiving services, with our providers including shelters and just an overall increase in the number of the unhoused," said Josh Swetnam, Co-Director of Resilience and Community Services.
With funding stretched thinner than ever, there is added pressure coming as about 600 people from Dosker Manor might be looking for a place to live as the city weighs whether to demolish the complex.
“We know there is already a lack of affordable housing and that is only going to put more pressure on the system,” Swetnam said.
As for Rodney, he said he is trying to get off the street, adding that family have tried to help, but his pride got in the way.
"I'm trying to fix everything," Rodney said.
Previous Coverage:
- Louisville Metro Housing Authority looking into possible demolition of Dosker Manor
- Louisville nonprofit breaks ground on housing facility that'll help homeless population
- New shelter for homeless at Louisville's Community Care Campus aimed for completion later this year
- Louisville shelter adding space as Coalition for the Homeless fights to address 'growing crisis'
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