Indianapolis officials on an unspecified date broke ground on a planned low-barrier housing hub that city leaders said will combine an emergency shelter with on-site services to help people experiencing homelessness find long-term housing.

Mayor (name not specified in transcript) said the housing hub "is a solution. Not a temporary fix for a complex problem," and described the facility as one piece of a broader strategy that also includes permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, master leasing and other programs administered by the Department of Metropolitan Development.

The city intends the hub to house a low-barrier emergency shelter alongside a day center and co-located services, officials said. The city named nonprofit partners that will deliver services: Aspire Indiana Health is slated to operate the low-barrier shelter component, and Goodwill Horizon House will provide day services such as showers, laundry, mail access, job-preparation supports and connections to health and mental-health care.

In a recorded message played at the event, State Rep. Justin Moed (District 97) praised the city–state partnership and said housing is the first step toward recovery and stability: "Having a home, having a place that's safe and secure is the first step in getting folks back on their feet," the video said.

Tom McGowan, introduced at the event as co-chair of the Indiana low-barrier homeless shelter task force, said the task force recommended the housing-hub model and that the state legislature allocated $20,000,000 toward the vision; he also said the city contributed "over $12,000,000." McGowan and other speakers described on-site amenities the task force recommended, including a day center, cafeteria and housing services.

Anthony Sheehan, president and CEO of Aspire Indiana Health, said the organization has operated emergency shelter and mobile health services during the COVID pandemic and winter contingencies and called Aspire "here for the long term." Sheehan noted a nearby facility, Progress House, as an example of services that can be connected to the hub.

Lillian Herboskelly, senior director of Goodwill Horizon House, described the day-services model and said consolidating services in one location will reduce barriers and stress for people seeking housing and supports.

Faith leaders and community advocates also spoke in favor of the project. Pastor David Bacon of New Vision Missionary Baptist Church described his congregation's outreach and support for families in the Southeast Side neighborhood.

Officials acknowledged construction partners Shrewsbury, Wolper and Scheele Sexton and concluded remarks by moving to the ceremonial groundbreaking across the street.

Details not specified at the event included an exact opening date, the facility's planned capacity and a complete funding breakdown. Speakers said the model is intended to be replicable in other municipalities.

Provenance: Excerpts and attributions in this story are drawn from the event transcript, including the mayor's opening remarks (transcript start ~00:15), a recorded message from State Rep. Justin Moed (video segment ~09:44), Tom McGowan's remarks about funding allocations (~13:18), Anthony Sheehan's remarks (~16:46) and Lillian Herboskelly's description of day services (~20:00).