Addressing Homelessness in Indianapolis Part 1: Complete the following chart. Be as specific to your community as possible. Common sources of data include: Chamber of Commerce, community libraries, social service agencies, newspapers, agency personnel. In addition to these sources, you will interview someone who is actively engaged with the at-risk population you are investigating.
| Needs Assessment | Community Strengths and Existing Resources |
| Environment/Living arrangements | In high-demand locations with adequate services and access to public transit, zoning regulations encourage creating “missing middle” housing, including duplexes, townhouses, and multiplex units. For the population of homeless people, this may enhance the supply of inexpensive housing choices (Lynne Walsh, 2016). |
| Access to transportation | Bus and public transportation services are offered in Indianapolis and Marion County by IndyGo, which is run by the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (Lynne Walsh, 2016). Discounted rates are offered to those who qualify, such as Medicaid users, veterans, and low-income people. |
| Financial Considerations | Government nutrition programs, including SNAP, TANF, free and reduced-price school meals, and the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), are utilized by the community at a reasonably high rate (“Plans to End Homelessness”, n.d.). These initiatives assist people and families dealing with financial difficulties, including homeless people. |
| Cultural/language barriers | The people who live there come from various linguistic and racial origins. To overcome the linguistic and cultural hurdles that the homeless population faces, efforts can be made to offer interpretation services and care sensitive to cultural differences (FENWICK, 2021). |
| Public perception of the group | The public’s stigmatizing and unfavorable impression of homeless people may make it more difficult for them to receive help and services. Education and awareness efforts should be launched to dispel prejudices and encourage empathy and understanding within the community (FENWICK, 2021). |
| Common health risks | The homeless population poses typical health concerns to the community, such as mental illness, drug abuse, undernutrition, and infectious infections (FENWICK, 2021). Existing social service and healthcare groups can offer assistance and funding to address these health issues. |
| Access to health and social services | Numerous social support programs, including healthcare, mental health care, and emergency shelters, are available to the local homeless population. Additionally, groups like Indy CARES and township assistance programs offer financial assistance and support to people who are homeless (“Op/Ed: Indianapolis’ Plan to Reduce Homelessness Misses the Mark”, n.d.). |