As House Bill 5, otherwise known as the Safer Kentucky Act, goes into effect, some are concerned about the impacts it will have on urban and rural communities alike. The new law makes street camping punishable by jail time, which some advocates claim criminalizes homelessness.
Paul Semisch is the Assistant Director of the Gateway Homeless Coalition, which runs the Gateway House in Morehead. He said HB 5 digs people already experiencing the trauma of homelessness into a deeper hole, emotionally and financially.
“We see folks coming in through here who may have criminal issues, criminal backgrounds, and how much of a barrier that poses to their getting housing or employment. Then, we’re arresting people who are sleeping outside,” said Semisch. “There are going to be court fines, criminal charges, criminal background, and then we wonder why they’re having a hard time finding housing or employment.”
Semisch said the exact number of people experiencing homelessness in Rowan County is difficult to track because it isn’t as visible as in urban areas, where people typically sleep on public streets. Semisch called the situation critical.
“They call it the invisible homelessness. You’re not going to drive through City Park and see dozens and dozens of people sleeping in tents or in boxes. So again, it’s easy to believe, ‘oh, it’s not really an issue,’” said Semisch. “What homelessness looks like in rural areas, including ours, we do have people who are sleeping in their cars, sleeping out at the campgrounds, or sleeping in the forests. But, we also have a lot of people who are doubled up with family members, what we call couch surfing.”
Officials said a variety of factors including sudden illness, natural disaster, housing shortages, and other financial burdens can result in anyone becoming homeless or at risk of homelessness. The Gateway House serves as a short-term option for people and families in Rowan, Bath, Menifee, and Montgomery counties who would otherwise not have a place to stay.
Semisch said one of the key ways the Gateway Homeless Coalition aims to ignite change is by communicating directly with elected officials about the needs of their constituents and providing direct feedback.
