The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision not to hear a case centering on a city’s legal authority regarding homeless camps in Idaho is stirring discussion in Kentucky.
The nation’s highest court’s decision not to take up the matter lets stand a lower court ruling which, in essence, stated Boise’s ban on homeless camps was unconstitutional. Lexington Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention Director Polly Ruddick said the bluegrass community hasn’t taken a position to criminalize homelessness. “We just don’t do that here. We never looked at the unfortunate circumstances of you being without a home as a criminal activity. It happens. We have a lot of people who live paycheck to paycheck,” said Ruddick.
Ruddick says increasing affordable housing is a key component of Lexington’s strategy. “Paying attention to what our housing stock is, what are prevention strategies are, if you pay attention to that now and make plans for that now, then you should not, as a city typically see an increase in homelessness,” explained Ruddick.
Ruddick added the street outreach program focuses on making contact with those sleeping outdoors. But, she noted, for some, having a pet or coping with anxiety, makes them prefer to live away from shelters.
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