Change Begins with Awareness.
When it comes to homelessness, education is key to fostering understanding and driving meaningful action. This page is designed to provide you with critical information on the state of homelessness in Louisville, including current legislation, the challenges our unsheltered neighbors face, and ways that you can get involved. By educating ourselves, we become better equipped to advocate for change, contribute to lasting solutions, and build a more compassionate community. Let’s work together to create a future where everyone has a place to call home.
What is “Unlawful camping?”
Changes in legislation can directly affect the homeless community in Louisville. The passage of HB5 in KY has led to a massive disturbance in the unsheltered community. Click here (pgs. 7 & 8; Sections 17-20) to read how the law criminalizes poverty without offering or supporting proven solutions like the Housing First Model.
looking at the numbers
Over 12,000 people sought services for homelessness in 2024. 271 of those were minors entering homelessness without an adult.
The chronically homeless population alone stands at 595 individuals at least on any given night. This number is always an undercount as it occurs during some of the coldest weather of the year.
For the most recent census data (from 2024) click here.
resources, media & Literature
Follow the links below to explore the issue of homelessness on a national level through powerful resources like *National Alliance to End Homelessness* and the *National Homelessness Law Center*, which provide data and ways to take action. For a deeper dive, check out *Evicted* by Matthew Desmond or “Homelessness is a Housing Problem” by Gregg Colburn and Clayton Page Aldern