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New ordinance in Louisville removes obstacles for homeless people looking for work in the city

The Louisville City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that allows people living in homeless shelters to list their address when applying for city jobs. The new rule applies to city government and companies the city contracts with. “This is a great opportunity for us to say we shouldn't discriminate against people just because they don't have a permanent address,” said Catherine McGeeney of the Coalition for the Homeless. The measure, which aims to ban certain hiring practices against homeless residents, has been welcomed by homeless advocates. McGeeney believes it can break stereotypes about homeless employment while also making it easier for them to access public service jobs, which in turn will lead to higher incomes and hopefully more stability. “We know that homelessness in itself is a traumatic experience for people, and we want to do everything we can to mitigate that trauma,” she says. Outgoing City Councilman Jecorey Arthur was a supporter of the bill, inspired by a working resident who lives at the Salvation Army. “I was just so impressed that despite all of his struggles, he is able to get up and go to work every day and it was all because he was able to apply for a job at the address of this homeless shelter,” Arthur said. “They can work and live with dignity and meet people's needs and provide them with essential city services.” The long-term goal of this ordinance, co-sponsored by Phillip Baker, Markus Winkler and Donna Purvis, is to break the cycle of poverty. “There are people who can't find work because they don't have housing, and they can't find housing because they don't have a job,” Arthur said. This ordinance also allows homeless people to fill vacancies in city government and receive benefits that can help them become self-sufficient. “We just raised wages in the last budget cycle, there's quality government health care, dental and vision care, and a tuition reimbursement incentive,” he said. “There are a number of reasons why people should work for the government, but when there's a barrier like your address, you're almost unwilling to take those jobs in any capacity.” With this ordinance, advocates expect the city government to take a leadership role in the hopes that private employers will follow suit. “These are people who deserve to have the same opportunities and rights as anyone else,” McGeeney said.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

The Louisville City Council unanimously passed an ordinance allowing people living in homeless shelters to list their address when applying for a job with the city.

The new requirement applies to the city administration and companies with which the city concludes contracts.

“This is a great opportunity for us to say that we should not discriminate against people just because they do not have a permanent address,” said Catherine McGeeney of the Coalition for the Homeless.

Efforts to stop certain hiring practices toward homeless residents have been welcomed by homeless advocates.

McGeeney believes this will help break down stereotypes about homeless people being employed in shelters while also making it easier for them to access public sector jobs, which in turn will lead to higher incomes and hopefully more stability.

“We know that homelessness is a traumatic experience for people and we want to do everything in our power to alleviate that trauma,” she said.

Outgoing City Councilman Jecorey Arthur sponsored the bill, inspired by a working resident who lives with the Salvation Army.

“I was just so impressed by the fact that despite all of his problems, he is able to get up and go to work every day, and it's all because he was able to apply for a job at the address of this home,” Arthur said. “You see that they can work and have dignity and meet people's needs and provide them with important city services.”

The long-term goal of this regulation, which is co-sponsored by Phillip Baker, Markus Winkler and Donna Purvis, is to break the cycle of poverty.

“There are people who can’t find work because they don’t have a home, and they can’t find a home because they don’t have a job,” Arthur said.

This ordinance also allows homeless people to fill vacant positions in the city administration and benefit from services that can pave their way to self-employment.

“We just raised wages in the last budget cycle, there's high-quality government health care, dental and vision care, and a tuition reimbursement incentive,” he said. “There are a number of reasons why people should work for the government, but when there's a barrier like address, there's almost no willingness to take those jobs in any form.”

Supporters of this ordinance expect the city government to take a leadership role and hope that private employers will follow suit.

“These people deserve to have the same opportunities and rights as everyone else,” McGeeney said.

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