Homelessness in Hopkinsville has been a topic of discussion for over a year, dating back to the past two election cycles, and discussed with state legislators at a recent Hopkinsville Town Hall.
At the June 20 Hopkinsville City Council meeting, Mayor J.R. Knight requested city businesses to post ‘no trespassing or ‘no loitering’ signs to help address problems that he believes are beginning to arise in the downtown business district.
However, Knight knows homelessness is a citywide problem.
click to download audioHopkinsville does not have a shelter that is government-funded. A shelter run by the Salvation Army is located on East 7th Street but doesn’t usually keep a 24-hour schedule.
Knight is hoping the signs will help deter the homeless from causing issues at businesses.
click to download audioThe mayor said trash left by groups of homeless people has also become more prevalent.
click to download audioWith no shelter to house the homeless, they often take up refuge in any building with a roof whether it’s safe or not. And the mayor said that causes another issue — safety.
click to download audioDuring the town hall last month, legislators acknowledged the homelessness issue not only in Hopkinsville but also statewide. However, they said that’s where the discussion has usually ended with no funding made available for Hopkinsville and Christian County.
