A low-barrier homeless shelter on the east side of downtown continues to inch closer to becoming a reality for the unhoused population in Indianapolis.
Still, the 24/7 shelter is more than two years away from opening. That means late 2026 is the earliest the project could begin to alleviate a worsening homelessness crisis in Indianapolis.
The goal is to start construction later this fall.
Andrew Merkley, the city’s director of homelessness policy and eviction prevention, told attendees at a Sept. 12 meeting in Fountain Square that officials are focused on finalizing agreements with operators to run the emergency shelter and a day center.
Merkley hopes to announce the operators in November.
A spokesperson for the Office of Public Health and Safety told Mirror Indy that the vendor selection process is confidential until a contract is in place. The city has 21 days after final approval to post contracts online.
The city also is waiting for approval to receive $20 million in state funding that lawmakers earmarked to build a low-barrier homeless shelter, which could come by the end of October.
That money would be paired with $12 million that the Indianapolis City-County Council set aside for construction.
A preliminary rendering, which could change, shows a four-story building covering 62,000 square feet at the corner of Georgia and Shelby streets.
Getting people into homes
Along with an emergency shelter, the housing hub will include a day center and housing navigation center.
Day centers — such as Horizon House and Westside New Day Center — offer services such as case management, hygiene care and food assistance.
But it’s the navigation center that will connect people to what homelessness experts consider the ultimate solution: housing.
That’s where people will get help with employment, documentation and housing resources.
“That’s where the magic is going to happen,” Merkley said.
What low-barrier means
Part of the reason the city is investing in a homeless shelter is because of the barriers people face at other shelters around the city.
Many are run by religious organizations and include stipulations related to sobriety and participation in religious programs.
This shelter, though, will be available regardless of restrictions common at homeless shelters such as substance use and gender identity.
Plus, Merkley said, there isn’t a defined amount of time someone can stay in the shelter.
That could create some long stays and test the program’s ability to move people into permanent housing.
“The idea,” Merkley said, “is that all the programming, all the operations of this facility will be focused entirely on moving that person as quickly as possible from shelter into permanent housing.”
Mirror Indy reporter Tyler Fenwick covers economics. Contact him at 317-766-1406 or tyler.fenwick@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @ty_fenwick.
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