On Monday, April 22, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments for Johnson v. Grants Pass to decide whether it's cruel and unusual punishment to penalize people for sleeping outside when they have nowhere else to go. 

Regardless of what the Supreme Court decides, we know the truth: it is cruel—and ineffective—to criminalize homelessness, especially when shelters are full and there is not enough housing. Housing ends homelessness.

Here in Louisville, our elected officials can take actions to end homelessness. I urge the Mayor and Metro Council to do the following:

1. Support the Metro Council ordinance (O-063-24) to mandate that dollars for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund be dedicated at 30% and 50% AMI to meet the greatest need (people facing homelessness);

2. Support a new ordinance regarding right to shelter, including:

• Simplifying the process for opening new shelters so we can create new spaces to meet the need;
• Creating a moratorium on clearing camps without offering shelter and services, especially during extreme weather; and
• Leveraging all of our resources to meet the immediate needs of people in a homelessness crisis, including within city-funded hotels or apartments. 

3. Fund real, local solutions to end homelessness in each budget cycle, including at least $25 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for people at 30% AMI in this year's budget.

Sign on to this petition to add your name to the list of Louisvillians who want our government to end homelessness and to stop criminalizing people who have nowhere to go. #HousingNotHandcuffs