Moed celebrates location announcement for new low-barrier shelter, recognizes there is still work to be done
Today, State Rep. Justin Moed (D-Indianapolis) celebrated Mayor Joe Hogsett’s site announcement for the “Housing Hub.” In partnership with the RDOOR Corporation, the housing resource center will include the city’s first publicly constructed low-barrier homeless shelter. This announcement is a culmination of several years of city-state collaboration and Moed’s legislative efforts to eradicate homelessness.
The establishment of a low-barrier shelter was a recommendation from the Low-Barrier Shelter Task Force–originally created by Moed. To be located in or around the 1000 block of East Georgia Street, the 30,000-square foot shelter will be half the size of a football field.
“The major goal of the Low-Barrier Shelter Task Force study was to assess the feasibility of constructing a low-barrier homeless shelter in Indianapolis. I’m deeply thankful that the General Assembly decided to help fund its construction,” Moed said. “The Housing Hub’s shelter and wraparound services will serve as a cornerstone of the city’s support services network. Individuals experiencing homelessness will have support to find more stable housing until they’re empowered to find more permanent accommodations.”
Moed’s work to find solutions for our unhoused population has been an ongoing, bipartisan effort at the legislature. This legislative session, he authored House Enrolled Act 1087 , which requires the Department of Correction to only transport released offenders to the county they resided in at the time of conviction. If the DOC wants to transport someone out of the county, they must formulate a reentry plan. The plan must include housing for that individual in a different county or if the individual has employment in a different county. This law, in effect as of July 1, ended the DOC policy of bringing people to Indianapolis without a plan for their entry into the community. This was also a policy recommendation from the Low-Barrier Shelter Task Force.
“We are beginning to make progress on eradicating homelessness and providing more resources for Indianapolis residents who are struggling. I am thankful for the city-state bipartisan effort and hope it continues in the future. As we celebrate this win today, we must also look to the horizon and acknowledge there is still much to be done.”
The report also recommended improving support systems, providing a full continuum of care including permanent supportive housing and getting those who are struggling with the medical and psychological help they need.