Ground broken on $32 million low-barrier shelter housing hub

INDIANAPOLIS — Nearly four years ago, I met Elisa Hammer, shivering in a tent pitched high above the edge of I-65 as traffic thundered by down below east of downtown.

Elisa told me she lived outdoors during the day because she couldn’t get into a shelter until 4 p.m. and would have to leave the next morning at eight.

When I informed her the city was planning on building a facility that would address the needs of the homeless and put all the agencies they need to get off the streets in one place, Elisa was thrilled.

“I think it’s a brilliant idea,” she said. “I think they should do that. I’m really thankful that they are.”

Assuming Elisa’s gratefulness had no time limit, today ground was broken just a few blocks away at the corner of Shelby and Georgia streets, two blocks south of East Washington Street, on a $32 million low-barrier shelter that will provide a housing hub for Indy’s homeless and provide them access to the support and agencies that can develop a plan for moving into transitional housing.

”Our plan also accommodates the need for vital services to help our neighbors find long-term permanent solutions,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “That is what this project represents. A solution. Not a temporary fix for a complex problem, but a real sustainable solution.”

Clients will not be denied access to the shelter and hub no matter what condition they’re in when they show up at the front door.

“Once people are warm and cared for and have the opportunity to have a clean environment and so on and so forth, we can begin to have a conversation with them about their life needs,” said Antony Sheehan, president and executive director of Aspire Indiana Health, which will operate the hub. ”Imagine having a doctor or a nurse practitioner who could assess you for your physical needs, a social worker who can assess you in terms of your social needs. We’re obviously looking to get people into transitional housing or permanent housing.

”We’ve got food, we’ve got laundry, we’ve got a clean space to sleep, we’re gonna be able to take showers, we’re gonna have some immediate medical needs taken care of, perhaps some medication needs, so all of those things are going to be in place.”

Hogsett recently added $10 million to next year’s municipal budget for homelessness initiatives while the newly enacted Downtown Economic Enhancement District, which raises revenue from downtown property owners, will fund the daily operations at the hub.

”When all of these pieces come together with this new housing hub the impact will be completely transformative for the city of Indianapolis,” said the mayor. ”Soon no one who calls this city their home will have to spend a day and a night on our streets.”