House Bill 5, passed earlier this year by the Kentucky legislature, has sparked significant debate about how communities should address homelessness. For those of us working directly with vulnerable populations, it’s vital to emphasize that homelessness is a social and economic issue—not a criminal one. While the bill may reinforce certain punitive measures, there’s a better way forward. At Welcome House, we’re building a model that highlights collaboration over criminalization, and we believe this approach can be adopted by other communities nationwide.
Instead of relying on arrests or citations to address homelessness, our Street Outreach teams collaborate with local police departments to ensure individuals experiencing homelessness are connected to the services they need. When the police encounter someone without shelter, they don’t force them to move or issue tickets. Instead, they call us.
This partnership ensures that when an encampment is scheduled to be cleared, our Street Outreach teams are present to provide support. We conduct what we call encampment resolution, a humane and systematic approach to ensure those living in encampments are connected to housing and other vital services. This method prioritizes housing stability, mental health support and substance abuse treatment over punitive action, allowing individuals a chance to break the cycle of homelessness.
Nationally, evidence supports our local experience. Research from the National Homelessness Law Center shows that criminalization of homelessness is ineffective, costly and counterproductive. Cities that rely on punitive measures, such as banning sleeping in public spaces or issuing fines, only exacerbate the issue. People experiencing homelessness often have nowhere to go, and criminal records only make it harder for them to find stable housing and employment. A 2019 study by the Western Regional Advocacy Project found that over 70% of homeless people surveyed had experienced harassment or displacement due to punitive laws, yet less than 5% were offered any meaningful services.
In contrast, cities that invest in collaborative solutions see better outcomes. Salt Lake City, for example, saw a significant reduction in chronic homelessness through its Housing First approach, which provides permanent housing before addressing other needs. Similarly, Albuquerque’s There’s a Better Way program partners with nonprofits and the local government to offer employment and housing assistance, rather than punishment, to those experiencing homelessness. This model has proven to reduce interactions with law enforcement while improving housing stability and employment rates.
Our partnership with law enforcement acknowledges the reality that homelessness is a complex social issue, requiring comprehensive support rather than quick fixes. As the housing crisis deepens across the country, more communities need to embrace this collaborative model. House Bill 5 may have introduced new challenges, but that doesn’t mean we have to criminalize homelessness. Instead, it’s an opportunity to double down on partnerships that prioritize dignity, care and sustainable solutions.
But we need more than just local efforts. To truly tackle homelessness, we need statewide and national change. Communities, law enforcement agencies, nonprofits and governments must come together to demand policy shifts that prioritize housing, support services and dignity over punishment. We can’t wait until homelessness becomes an even bigger crisis—we need to act now.
Here’s how you can help:
- Advocate for policies that prioritize housing-first strategies and oppose the criminalization of homelessness. Contact your local representatives and make your voice heard.
- Support nonprofits that are doing the frontline work of connecting individuals with housing, healthcare and employment opportunities.
- Encourage your local police departments and city leaders to collaborate with service providers instead of relying on punitive measures.
Our work is proof that when communities come together, we can create solutions that benefit everyone. Homelessness is not a crime, and treating it as such will not solve the problem. But collaboration—between nonprofits, police and local governments—can be the key to breaking the cycle of homelessness and creating a stronger, more compassionate community.
Let’s lead by example and show that, even in the face of legislation like House Bill 5, it’s possible to lift people up rather than push them further down. Together, we can advocate for meaningful change.
Danielle (Daney) Amrine, MSW, MBA, is the CEO of Welcome House, Inc., a Covington-based organization dedicated to ending homelessness across the state of Kentucky. The organization serves more than 3,000 individuals annually in 40 predominantly rural counties across the state, including the city of Maysville.
