South Bend launches plan to tackle homelessness

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – South Bend City officials announced a $1.4 million investment to help get homeless people off the streets.

The investment will be used to build a transitional housing shelter, expand permanent housing options, hire an outreach ambassador, fund an amnesty center, and establish a new policing policy.

"The best thing we can do is move people out of that cycle and that's why for the long term, we're going to have to continue as a community to find ways to develop the presence of permanent supportive housing." Mayor Pete Buttigieg said.

The city has created Oliver Apartments, which is a permanent housing opportunity to currently 32 high-risk homeless individuals.

"Many of the chronically homeless are also the most vulnerable. And in many cases the most difficult to serve in our community, and as a community that cares about everybody and the least among us, we need to make sure were doing everything that we can." Mayor Buttigieg stated.

City officials will begin treating homeless encampments as public health hazards and asking people to leave within 48 hours, as part of this initiative.