‘Street Reach’ Ramps Up Indy Homelessness Efforts

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The city of Indianapolis is calling on businesses and organizations to take part in an enhanced effort to address homelessness and panhandling downtown. Street Reach Indy, a partnership with the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention and Downtown Indy Inc., aims to increase outreach efforts and access to health, transportation and job resources.

CHIP has hired Tom Tuttle as Street Reach Indy manager. He will work with businesses and lead a public campaign to help those facing homelessness. He is also tasked with analyzing the causes of homelessness and panhandling. Previous CHIP surveys suggest health issues are the main reasons people say they panhandle. Tuttle will lead an advisory board consisting of representatives from the city, businesses, faith-based groups and nonprofit homeless providers.

Campaign organizers say they will accept donations at cash boxes placed throughout downtown Indianapolis, as well as 20 parking meters, two of which will accept credit card donations. Downtown Indy Inc. says it will match the first $50,000 in donations.

CHIP currently has been approved for nine parking meter locations, with 11 more planned. The approved locations are:

• Mass Ave. by Bru Burger
• Mass Ave. – Southwest corner by Metro
• Northwest corner of Washington Street and Meridian Street
• Artsgarden – Southeast corner of Washington Street and Illinois Street
• Southeast corner of Maryland Street and Meridian Street
• Northwest corner of Capital Ave. and South Street
• Eastside of College Ave. just south of Broad Ripple Ave. 
• Monument Circle – Northwest quadrant  **Accepts credit cards
• Georgia Street at Penn Street  **Accepts credit cards

Cash donation box locations are:

• In front of City-County building, southside of Market Street
• Southwest corner of Illinois Street and Maryland Street
• Southwest corner of Washington Street and Illinois Street
• By BRICS in Broad Ripple
• Monument Circle – Southeast quadrant at corner of Market Street
• Monument Circle – Southwest quadrant at corner of Meridian Street

You can find more on the effort by clicking here.