City of Indianapolis will open and operate a new 24/7 homeless shelter by early 2027

INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 24, 2024) – The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) Board of Directors has approved a $20,000,000 grant for the development of a low barrier homeless shelter in Indianapolis, following a recommendation by the Low Barrier Homeless Shelter Task Force ("Task Force"). The grant will be administered by the City of Indianapolis.

"This project will fill gaps in the local system, make it easier for homeless individuals to find shelter and establish necessary supportive services in the community," said Governor Eric Holcomb. "I commend the Low Barrier Homeless Shelter Task Force for their tireless efforts in bringing this to fruition for Hoosiers experiencing homelessness."

Indiana Code 5-20-10 established the Task Force with the responsibility of determining the cost to build and operate a low barrier homeless shelter in a consolidated city. The Task Force met seven times throughout 2022 and submitted its Final Report to the Governor and Legislative Council in December 2022.

The City of Indianapolis will operate as the grant administrator and owner for the shelter. The grant will be administered by the City’s Office of Public Health and Safety.

"This proposed homeless shelter will fill a critical gap in Indianapolis by ensuring immediate and easy access to those in need," said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "By lowering barriers to entry and remaining open around the clock, this shelter can uplift one of the city's most vulnerable populations." 

The state’s biennial budget, as passed in 2023, included a $20,000,000 line item for the Low Barrier Homeless Shelter Grant Program. The building has a proposed total development cost of $32,000,000; $20,000,000 will be covered by the grant and $12,000,000 will be funded by the City of Indianapolis. Construction completion is estimated for late 2026 with the shelter opening by early 2027.

The proposed 63,000 sq. ft. building will include the following features:

• The first floor will provide a day center operated by Horizon House as well as a reception area, food pantry and cafeteria.
• The second floor will consist of administrative offices, a housing navigation center and an employment lab. This space will include offices for Horizon House, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the Marion County Public Health Department, HomeNow Indy and other homeless and health service providers.
• The third and fourth floors will provide a non-congregate, low-barrier shelter operated by Aspire Indiana Health. The shelter will include 20 family pods with four beds each, 10 couple pods with two beds each and 50 single pods with one bed each for a total of 150 beds.

In accordance with the National Alliance to End Homelessness’ definition of a low barrier shelter, the shelter will provide 24/7 access at no cost to clients.