When one considers that there are more than 800,000 residents in Indianapolis, 6,000 may not sound like a large number.
However, that number sounds large when it is used to describe the number of local homeless individuals. According to a study by the Indiana University Center for Health Policy (CHP), between 6,000 and 10,000 people may be homeless throughout the year.
And if that number continues to increase, homelessness will continue to be a serious and visible problem in the community.
Several reports have indicated that nearly half of the nation’s homeless population is African-American, which is reflected in the relatively high number of minorities at the Wheeler Mission facility on East Market Street, formerly known as Lighthouse Ministries.
“On average we have had at least 100 men here each day this summer,” said Matt Roller, director of emergency services for Wheeler Mission Ministries, a non-denominational, Christian, social services organization, which provides goods and services to the homeless, poor and needy of Central Indiana.
“The reasons why people visit our facility are vast, but a large number of them are here because of substance abuse problems or for economic reasons,” Roller added. “A lot of the guys may also have struggled with mental illness, medical issues or major challenges in their family.”
One only has to sit with the temporary residents at the mission to get an understanding of what has led them to homelessness.
Several years ago Steve “Governor” Lofton was laid off from his warehouse job after 28 years.
“They called it downsizing, but it was their polite way of just letting me go,” said Lofton, who received his nickname from a friend who admired his skills in the game of pool.
Lofton continued to look for work, but a slowing economy and the onset of diabetes-related health problems made it difficult to find anything permanent.
Unable to earn a living and dealing with a divorce from his wife, Lofton went into depression, not speaking to anyone for several years. He moved from shelter to shelter, until he became a resident at Wheeler Mission. Currently he is in the process of securing assistance for housing.
“I’m looking forward to it because things can get rough out here sometimes. You have guys here who will fight over a chair,” Lofton said. “We all have different stories of how we got here. Some of us have a plan on how to get out of here and get back on track, but some of us don’t.”
Courtney Harmon, another Wheeler Missions resident, agrees, saying that some homeless individuals are simply facing tough times, while others have actually become complacent while receiving assistance.
“Some people are sitting around and waiting for something to come to them, or they waste their opportunities. I’m not like that,” said Harmon, who became homeless after being arrested for entering his fiance’s apartment when an alarm sounded.
The police was contacted and Harmon, who already had a record of some minor criminal offenses, could not prove that he also lived in the apartment and was sentenced to time in prison. He was released early on good behavior, and is now at Wheeler Mission. He now has a place to stay while he searches for job opportunities.
“I’ve seen guys who get money for being veterans or another reason,” Harmon said. “When they have money they run out, spend it on drugs, alcohol or hoes (prostitutes), then come back here when the money runs out. It’s a shame.”
Harmon believes, however, that the majority of those at the mission are men like himself who have simply experienced bad luck and just need another opportunity to lift themselves up.
Experts have noticed an increase in the number of women and children among the ranks of the homeless.
Arleen Baker grew up in a strict household, and when she became a young adult, ended up adopting a fast lifestyle of partying and drug use that led her to homelessness.
Fortunately, Baker found a ministry that helped her change her life, find employment and obtain housing.
“God has been good, and I’ve always been a person that can pick myself up and keep going,” Baker said. “Until you actually get sick and tired of your sitaution nothing will change.”
Professionals and volunteers who assist the homeless believe that there are plenty of solutions to reduce the rate of homelessness.
“First, it is essential for all the stakeholders in the community – leaders, residents, agencies, businesses – come together and develop real ideas and plans to address homelessness,” said Christy Shepard, interim director of the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP).
To offer guidance to those concerned about homelessness, CHIP periodically releases its Blueprint to End Homeless, a framework for more effective homeless assistance, which can be found on its website, chipindy.org.
“We can’t just give the homeless handouts. That’s not what helped me when I was on the streets,” said Eric Powell, founder of Feed the Need, which provides various services to individuals living on the streets. “We also have to offer spiritual nourishment, build their self-esteem and have them answer the question, ‘What’s next? I can’t stay in this situation, so what do I need to do to fix it?’”
Roller, the director at Wheeler Missions, said a holistic approach is needed to address the needs of the homeless.
“There’s not just a single answer,” Roller said. “That is why we offer access to mental health services, access to medical care, adult and child wellness programs and transportation for those who need to make employment or medical appointments.”
V.J. Harper became homeless while dealing with an alcohol and substance abuse problem. After finding Jesus Christ, Harper said he decided to turn his life around. Today he is no longer homeless, and is now giving back working in Wheeler Mission’s kitchen.
“What we need is more love,” he said. “Love is an action word, not just something you say. We need more volunteers who love people to help with the homeless initiatives we have in this city.”
