House Bill 5 from the 2024 session went into effect on July 15. Sleeping and camping in public areas is now against the law - even if there are no shelter beds available - or no shelters at all. →How can you help? Spread the word: download and print this flyer to share with impacted persons. Plus: share this survey.
HB 5, an omnibus crime bill that will criminalizes homelessness and cause unnecessary harm to Kentuckians, has become law. Read more here.
Why do IDs matter?
During an Interim Joint Committee on Transportation on 9/13/22 Shannon Frey from St. John Center shares why an updated homeless ID bill must happen. Joining her efforts are Rep. Randy Bridges and George Eklund from the Coalition for the Homeless in Louisville.
Past Policy Successes
2024 State Advocacy Agenda
2024 Bill Tracker
2024:
No-cost IDs for people experiencing homelessness
No-cost birth certificates for people experiencing homelessness
$10M for the Rural Housing Trust Fund in the 2025-26 budget
2023:
Rural Housing Trust Fund Established
Seed funding of $20 established for RHTF
Updated Homeless ID bill, making IDs affordable, accessible, and streamlining the process
2022:
SMI Waiver: the legislature directed the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to apply for a Medicaid waiver, including housing, for people with Severe Mental Illness
Community Health Worker services (wraparound, community-based supports) to be billable under Medicaid
2021:
Mental Health Services for Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Severe Mental Illness Task Force
Technical Advisory Committee for Persons Reentering Society
Kentucky Affordable Housing Trust Fund Kentucky began dedicating revenue to this fund in 2006 through a modest deed transfer fee. Twelve years later, this fund is stagnant while construction and development prices have increased. We thank the General Assembly for their past and future support of the AHTF.
Affordable Housing Caucus We advocated for the creation of a common sense, bipartisan, and bicameral body to advance affordable housing solutions through the General Assembly. After the 2019 Regular Session, this caucus is now established!
For more information, contact Adrienne Bush.