(INDIANAPOLIS) – Indy’s homeless population is the lowest in eight years.
The annual count of the homeless finds the total dropped this year for a second year in a row. The total tally of 1,567 has dropped 12{fa7adc80df2e023940cc66418ee6bf3ea4951b478396a103014e7d5f7d7da9d3} in two years.
Workers fan out across shelters and streets one night each January to take the count. It’s a requirement for federal housing grants.
IU’s Public Policy Institute says the number of chronically homeless dropped 39{fa7adc80df2e023940cc66418ee6bf3ea4951b478396a103014e7d5f7d7da9d3} from last year, while about 160 people were homeless for the first time.
Past efforts have tried to address root causes of homelessness. The city has turned that upside down to get people housing first. Mayor Joe Hogsett says once people have a place to live, it’s easier to address things like addiction or mental illness. The city has worked to integrate that assistance with affordable housing programs.
(Photo: David Wood/WIBC)
