The Arthur Street Hotel helps homeless people find permanent housing

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A hotel in Old Louisville is committed to finding permanent housing for the city’s homeless population.

And in just two years, Arthur Street Hotel has reached that goal for 250 people.

But as temperatures drop, this need is greater than ever as city streets provide little to no heat.

“This is deadly weather. People die all the time in this weather,” said Donny Green, assistant manager of the Arthur Street Hotel. “Once you’re on the road, it’s almost impossible to get off.”

Greene knows the hardship all too well, having never had a home himself.

“We get people into the hotel and figure out how we can accommodate them permanently. That’s what we do,” Greene said.

He said the hotel is almost always at capacity, with 80 people on the premises at any given time. That’s a small fraction of the nearly 600 people reportedly living without a home in the metro area.

And as temperatures continue to drop below freezing this winter, this vulnerable population is focused on survival.

“We know people will do what they have to do to stay warm,” said Louisville Fire Chief Donovan Sims. “We give them things like blankets and jackets to keep them warm. We want to avoid them, like the Sterno candles. We don’t want to give them things that are flammable. We will set tents on fire and cause the spread of fires.”

Sternos are used by people who sleep outside to keep warm.

Last winter, the Louisville Fire Department said star drives caused fires in warehouses.

“There are different opinions about sternos, but in this weather it is necessary,” Greene said. “There’s no other way to say it. So it’s not the safest thing there is, but no one can afford the safest thing there is.”

Alternatives required at Arthur Street Hotel include blankets, tents, hats, gloves, sneakers, boots, tents, sleeping bags, men’s clothing in sizes 30-38 waist, coats and socks.

While the Arthur Street Hotel is full, Greene and other team members go out almost every evening to check on people living on the streets and hand out meals.

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