As sub-zero temps swept into much of the country, Kenneth Winfield made his way to a Louisville homeless shelter
in November:
"He started crying," recalled Maria Price, executive director of the day shelter. "He said, 'Please help me find an apartment. I don't want to die out there.' "
He returned again last week, but was apparently too late:
Winfield was found on the steps of the St. John Center amid sub-zero temperatures Thursday night and later died, Price said.
An autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of death. Although Winfield had been living on the streets for years, he'd been trying to find a place to live:
Price said Winfield had applied for a federal supportive housing program that provides a rent voucher, counseling and social service support.
However, during an assessment as part of the application process Winfield "didn't score high enough to be considered the most vulnerable," Price said, so he was still waiting for an opening. She said officials at the center, whose 70 vouchers are all full, were continuing to work to find him space in other housing programs.
Representatives of St. John's called it a huge loss for their community:
Winfield had been a client at St. John's for at least four years, Price said, describing him as congenial and friendly. He wanted to serve as an ambassador for the center.
"He'd take a garbage bag around the block and pick up trash. He wanted us to be good neighbors," Price said.
Natalie Harris, the executive director of the Coalition of the Homeless in Louisville said that while the city has done a better job finding homes for men and veterans, they've seen
troubling trends for families and youth:
While there has been a 1 percent to 3 percent decrease annually in the homeless population in recent years, unfortunately, there are small increases in some populations including women and families. Harris said there is a waiting list for families and children to get into shelters. She said there is also an increase in young adults, those 18 to 24, which had doubled to about 500 homeless people in recent years before leveling off.
Louisville's Mayor Greg Fischer has asked residents to "show more compassion" in frigid temperatures and to share their stories on social media to inspire others to help.