Louisville Eases Rules for Emergency Homeless Shelters
The Louisville Metro Council has passed a new ordinance on September 11th, designed to streamline the process for opening emergency homeless shelters, particularly during severe weather events. The new law aims to make it easier for religious institutions and other facilities to provide critical shelter services to those in need.
New Shelter Definitions
The ordinance establishes three distinct categories of shelters, each with specific guidelines: extreme weather shelters, accessory overnight shelters, and day shelters. This clarification aims to address a perceived need for more readily available shelter options during times of crisis.
- Extreme weather shelters: These are intended as pop-up shelters that operate for the 24 hours before and after an extreme weather event.
- Accessory overnight shelters: Primarily aimed at religious facilities, these shelters offer overnight accommodation.
- Day shelters: Designed to provide shelter during daytime hours.
Licensing and Permitting
While the new law eliminates the requirement for a conditional use permit for these shelters, it introduces a new licensing requirement for accessory overnight shelters. The absence of an existing license for these facilities raises immediate concerns and requires future action from the Louisville Metro Council. Councilman Andrew Owen, a co-sponsor of the legislation, acknowledges the need to address this gap.
The Road to Approval
The ordinance's path to approval was not straightforward. Initially, the proposal sought to remove both licensing and conditional use permit requirements. However, concerns raised by Republican council members led to amendments that reintroduced these elements. According to Councilman Andrew Owen, these amendments undermined the initial goal of easing the process.
Council Member Perspectives
Councilman Scott Reed, who had previously voiced concerns about potential abuse of the law, stated that the final approved ordinance addressed his worries about “bad actors posing as religious institutions.” Councilwoman Paula McCraney expressed reservations about approving the legislation without a license in place, proposing an amendment to delay its implementation. Ultimately, her amendment failed, but she emphasized the importance of swiftly establishing the new licensure process.
Next Steps
Councilman Andrew Owen confirmed that he has already initiated discussions with the Jefferson County Attorney's office to develop the required license for accessory overnight shelters. He also expressed his satisfaction in getting this legislation passed before the beginning of the winter months, with Louisville potentially facing more winter storms like those seen in January 2024.
