Yesterday’s Supreme Court decision in Grants Pass vs. Johnson was an abomination. Justice Sotomayor had it right when she said that criminally punishing people for sleeping outside when there is no shelter available to them is “unconscionable and unconstitutional.”
Fran, I am very concerned about people experiencing homelessness in our community. I take several phone calls daily wanting us to house or put people in the hotels as all Indianapolis shelters are full. These people have children, have jobs, and sleep in cars if they have them. I am so frustrated with the system. Where are they to go? I read on the Indy.gov website the following: The latest data estimate that the City of Indianapolis averages nearly 1,600 residents who are experiencing homelessness-they are sleeping in temporary shelters, transitional housing, or on the street. I feel as though this number is deficient and misrepresented. What can we do as citizens to find a solution for sheltering and housing people?
Christina, I am grateful for all you and your colleagues do every day to alleviate the suffering of people struggling with homelessness or teetering on the edge of becoming unhoused. I think that other countries and even the U.S. back before the 1980's prove it doesn't have to be this way, if we just invest what is needed in affordable/social housing. That takes political will, of course. But maybe one way to start building that is for more people to see what you are seeing. I have a thought about that, and will send you a direct email. Thank you for your important work.
It is disappointing that you couldn't find any tenant rights advocates in Indiana. That you had to use an example from another state. Is that because you are still afraid of upsetting the existing powers that be in Indiana?
Fran, I am very concerned about people experiencing homelessness in our community. I take several phone calls daily wanting us to house or put people in the hotels as all Indianapolis shelters are full. These people have children, have jobs, and sleep in cars if they have them. I am so frustrated with the system. Where are they to go? I read on the Indy.gov website the following: The latest data estimate that the City of Indianapolis averages nearly 1,600 residents who are experiencing homelessness-they are sleeping in temporary shelters, transitional housing, or on the street. I feel as though this number is deficient and misrepresented. What can we do as citizens to find a solution for sheltering and housing people?
Christina, I am grateful for all you and your colleagues do every day to alleviate the suffering of people struggling with homelessness or teetering on the edge of becoming unhoused. I think that other countries and even the U.S. back before the 1980's prove it doesn't have to be this way, if we just invest what is needed in affordable/social housing. That takes political will, of course. But maybe one way to start building that is for more people to see what you are seeing. I have a thought about that, and will send you a direct email. Thank you for your important work.
It is disappointing that you couldn't find any tenant rights advocates in Indiana. That you had to use an example from another state. Is that because you are still afraid of upsetting the existing powers that be in Indiana?