I've experienced homelessness. The Supreme Court and Kentucky criminalizing it is cruel.

When I ended up homeless at 18, I had two daily concerns: What am I going to eat? Where am I going to sleep? Those two basic needs consumed my day, every day. Everything else—a job, my family, even a shower—was secondary. I existed in survival mode for nearly two years.

Without help and healing, I would not be here.

So I read the U.S. Supreme Court's opinion on City of Grants Pass v. Johnson with an ache in my heart. According to SCOTUS, restricting the homeless from sleeping on public property is not "cruel and usual punishment." I disagree. This ruling means homelessness is a crime in Kentucky. The “Safer Kentucky Act,” or House Bill 5, takes effect July 15 and will penalize Kentuckians for being destitute.

I do not understand how anyone believes this is the answer for people experiencing homelessness.

HB 5 criminalizes homelessness, but what comes next...

Under HB 5, homelessness will be a Class B misdemeanor. Citations will be issued for unlawful camping when a person "knowingly enters or remains on a public or private street, sidewalk, area under a bridge or underpass, path, park, cemetery, or other area designated for use by pedestrians or vehicles…”

But then what?

When a citation is issued, you have to appear in court, and a Class B misdemeanor carries a fine up to $250 or up to 90 days in jail or both. If there are “ reasonable grounds to believe that the defendant will not appear in court…” the person may be arrested.

Safer Kentucky Act needs changes. Homelessness isn't a crime and doesn't warrant arrest.

If the person is not arrested and fails to appear in court after being cited, a warrant for their arrest can be issued.

Are jails ready for this ?

If a person is unhoused and sleeping under a bridge or in a tent or on a proverbial park bench, it’s pretty safe to assume they may have trouble getting to court. They’re also going to have a hard time coming up with the money to pay a fine — whether it’s $25 or $250. And guess what? Fining someone who doesn’t have the means to afford housing or a meal will not remedy the situation.

HB 5 helps no one and only serves to add stress to an already traumatic life experience.

Louisville does not have the resources to carry out HB 5

Louisville is also experiencing a police officer shortage . Is the expectation for the Louisville Metro Police Department to divert resources to policing homelessness? HB 5 says yes.

Local governments are permitted to designate areas for the unhoused, but according to The Safer Kentucky Act, they are not allowed to look the other way when unhoused individuals choose not to use those designated areas. HB 5 says, “A government official or governmental body shall not adopt or enforce any policy under which it directly or indirectly prohibits or discourages the enforcement of any law, order, or ordinance prohibiting unlawful camping…”

The Coalition for the Homeless sends out a daily alert regarding shelter capacity. As I write this, there are no remaining shelter beds for Louisville's homeless population.

So, none of what HB 5 requires is productive. None of it helps Kentucky’s unhoused population. None of it makes Kentucky safer.

Safer Kentucky Act: Enhances punishments instead of identifying root causes of crime

Homelessness is not a crime. HB 5 is plain cruel.

I clawed my way out of homelessness, but I didn't do it alone. I reconciled with my dad, and he let me come back home. My dad is not the villain in my story. We were both in the thick of hard times, and I’m grateful for him every day.

I see the homelessness crisis in our city. I see how it is fueled by a lack of affordable housing options and trauma intervention as well as a lack of mental health and addiction services. If homelessness is hard for you to look at, good. It should be. But that difficulty should prompt you to help our fellow human beings.

Volunteer your time or make a donation to the Coalition for the Homeless , which works with more than 40 member organizations serving the unhoused population in our city. Donate to a small nonprofit like the Hildegard House , which provides end-of-life care for those who have nowhere else to go. Advocate for state and local policies that help our community's most vulnerable citizens. Or keep a stash of snacks and basic supplies in your car to hand out to individuals standing with signs throughout Louisville.

All of this helps, and our community needs it now more than ever. What doesn't help is expending energy and resources to criminalize those who suffer. HB 5 isn't just a bad idea, it's plain cruel.

Bonnie Jean Feldkamp is the community engagement and opinion editor for The Louisville Courier Journal. She can be reached via email at BFeldkamp@Gannett.com or on social media @WriterBonnie .

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: I've experienced homelessness. The Supreme Court and Kentucky criminalizing it is cruel.