For weeks, camps of people experiencing homelessness and those suffering from substance use disorders have settled in on Monument Circle and near City Market.
Read MoreIndianapolis will get the funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for its “housing first” homelessness efforts, officials announced Wednesday. The strategy prioritizes stable housing, followed by supportive services.
The death count is 91% higher than in last year’s Zoom-only ceremony, which recognized the deaths of 87 people.
Lutheran Child and Family Services spearheaded the project, which is part of a “housing first” approach that prioritizes a place to live as the first step to stability.
The usual plan, which involves packing people closely on as many cots and mats as Wheeler Mission’s shelters can hold, isn’t an option under social distancing guidelines.
The Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention of Indianapolis has been chosen to receive a $1.25 million grant from a fund launched by Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos.
Community officials are hopeful a new east-side housing project focused on young adults aging out of foster care will go a long way in furthering the area’s efforts to reduce homelessness.
The funding will serve 350 people or families currently living in non-congregate shelters, especially those at risk of contracting COVID-19 and dying, and 150 unsheltered households that face high barriers to find housing.
The count was taken in January, so it doesn’t consider the number of people newly experiencing homelessness because of the pandemic.
It’s been more than two years since the city and state chose four developers to build 500 affordable housing units—including some reserved for people experiencing homelessness.
Democratic incumbent Joe Hogsett and Republican state Sen. Jim Merritt participated in a discussion about homelessness at the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention annual fundraiser and awards presentation on Wednesday evening and were asked about what they would each do to improve the homelessness situation in Indianapolis.
At least 70 people died in Indianapolis last year who previously experienced homelessness, the highest number ever recorded by the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention.
