Homelessness becoming more visible in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Homelessness is becoming more visible in Indianapolis.

Take a tour near 16th and Meridian streets on any given night and you will see a gathering of the city’s homeless. The closures of several homeless camps has increased the visibility of some of the homeless in Indianapolis.

“I think homelessness is still an issue for factors and reason we don’t know or can’t pinpoint we are differently seeing it inside the shelter,” said William Bumphus of Wheeler Mission.

Bumphus adds Wheeler Mission is seeing the demand for more beds for the homeless. On Monday night the shelter housed 250 people, it has the capacity to hold 400 and more. The demand will go up as the temperature continues to drop according to Bumphus.

Currently Wheeler is on a mission to create a center for women and children. The goal is to add 200 beds and 30 independent apartments. The goal is to raise $1.25 million for the expansion for a women and children center. The goal is to add additional resources to the homeless community.

Indianapolis City-County Councilor Mike McQuillen is currently working on a proposal that some say will target the homeless community. McQuillen has created a proposal that will target panhandling in downtown Indianapolis. His plan calls for a ban of people sitting or lying on public sidewalks, streets or alleys in the Mile Square area. The proposal will be enforced between 6 a.m. and midnight.

In an interview in the past McQuillen addressed the proposal.

“We’re very concerned about people being harassed by panhandlers,” McQuillen.

On Thursday, McQuillen will hold a Town Hall Meeting at the Sterrett Center, 8950 Otis Avenue, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

“This a great opportunity for constituents hear more about what is happening in the city and to provide their thoughts and feedback,” McQuillen said.