Council Committee Considers Homeless Bill Of Rights Amendment

A new proposal to amend Indianapolis’s Homeless Bill of Rights is being considered by City-County Councilors. 

The amendment would allow a feasibility study to examine if and how Indianapolis could increase shelter options for people experiencing homelessness. Marion County Public Health Department Director Dr. Virginia Caine said there is a growing need.

“We need to get it together, this should have happened last year. We need to move forward, no excuse,” Caine said.

The report will be done by the Office of Public Health and Safety says Deputy Director Matt Giffin. The study will examine if options including a low-barrier shelter or designated camping sites could be viable.

“We may study this and determine this is not a good idea,” Giffin said.

The study comes as downtown businesses are complaining of an increased homeless population and the issues that come with that including trash and public drug use.  Windsor Jewelers owner Greg Bires said he supports the move.

“To have a place for them to clean themselves, to feed themselves, to sleep without having to sleep on the sidewalks or in my doorway and eat food off the ground,” Bires said.

The committee voted to send the proposal to the full council with a do pass recommendation.