A lengthy proposal aimed at reducing crime recently unveiled by Kentucky lawmakers has housing advocacy groups concerned about the impact on the homeless. The Safer Kentucky Act, currently in draft stages, is expected to be introduced when the legislature convenes next year. The proposal includes a statewide camping ban, with penalties of up to $5,000 and one month in jail, and funding penalties to any jurisdiction refusing to enforce the ban. .
New U.S. census data show nearly a third of Montanans spend at least 30% of their income on housing. Advocates for affordable housing said it mostly affects disenfranchised people in the state. .
It s been ten years since Fort Lyon, a 19th century military post in rural Bent county, opened its doors to people experiencing homelessness with substance use disorders. Randy Stotts hit bottom living on the streets in Denver, and after years of avoiding offers of assistance, agreed to participate in the recovery-oriented transitional housing program. He said the program offers a wide range of tools to get to the root causes of addiction, and make it out safe and sound on the other side. .
Estimates show Minnesota is short 100,000 housing units for low-income populations. To help meet demand, some poverty-fighting offices are playing a role in getting more projects off the ground. The housing estimate is from the National Low-Income Housing Coalition. .
Evictions in Olmsted County are moving faster than housing advocates expected this year. That's putting a strain on emergency services available to people facing eviction. The city is a microcosm of a trend playing out statewide.