JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) — The state of Indiana plans to clear and vacate a large homeless camp in southern Indiana.
Exit 0 in Jeffersonville focuses on homeless outreach. Director Paul Stensrud got an email this week from the Indiana Department of Transportation.
In the email, INDOT officials told them the state will be clearing and vacating the area near Eastern Boulevard and Hospitality Way in Jeffersonville and asked for information regarding help and support for homeless people in the area.
They said anyone on that property needs to vacate by August 13 which will impact dozens of people. They also put up signs in the area to notify the people living there.
"We have 8 days worth of time to get them out of that location that way INDOT can come through and do what they have to do within this particular area," said Stensrud.
He said the last time this happened there was no communication on when the area would be cleared and some people lost their belongings.
"Through 18 years, we've seen a lot of things taken, heirlooms, documents and stuff like that which makes it harder for them," said Stensrud.
He said they're grateful for the notice but now the question shifts to where do the people that call this place home go?
"We lack shelters here in southern Indiana, we have one shelter for 12 counties, so it makes it hard for folks that are not from the local area in order to get shelter," Stensrud added.
The reason behind the clearing is Senate Bill 285, which was signed into law by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun earlier this year.
Part of it prohibits people from camping, sleeping or using long-term shelter on land owned by the state.
In a statement, an INDOT spokesperson said they're following that law:
"Per state law, individuals are not permitted to use state right-of-way for long term shelter. INDOT remains committed to safety for all Hoosiers and works to minimize unsafe living, driving, and working conditions.Â
For this reason, individuals near I-65 and Eastern Blvd. in Jeffersonville have been given advance notice to vacate state owned property. Clean-up operations will commence once all individuals have vacated. The agency is currently working with law enforcement and local agencies to help individuals find shelter."
As the brush is cleared, Stensrud said the main issue is still lack of resources.
"We can feed all day long, we can feed hot dogs all day long at the jails but ultimately case management is what's going to get them out of this situation and we're lacking that tremendously here in southern Indiana," he said.
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