The City of Goshen is moving the relocation deadline for those encamped on public property ahead to Monday, June 3, because the original date falls on a holiday weekend.
The relocation is part of a policy that immediately addresses the concerns of residents and businesses who reported feeling unease by the presence of illegal camping along the Millrace. The task force, which worked on the guideline with Mayor Jeremy Stutsman, is composed of elected officials, nonprofit organizations, and neighboring residents and businesses.
Though this policy is in place to address the immediate concerns of the public about their safety, it is not a long-term solution to an issue as multifaceted as homelessness in our community. The Goshen Coalition for the Homeless has been working since late 2018 to find sustainable solutions for the community members without shelter in Goshen, and the City administration is open to providing support.
“We will continue working with the Coalition for the Homeless and looking for ways to address the urgent need to provide shelter for homeless individuals,” Mayor Stutsman said. “I will continue meeting with community members to find ways we can work together to address this issue. We are hopeful individuals will take us up on the arranged shelter while we work to find long-term solutions.”
Since the announcement of the policy in early May, City staff and non-profit organizations experienced in working with the homeless community in Goshen have reached out to those encamped at the Millrace and other known locations to offer assistance in finding temporary shelter and other required services. This outreach is through events in a location close to the Millrace where local nonprofits offer services to those in need. Agencies present at these events offer to help with:
- Housing
- Veteran services
- Mental health
- Emergency support
- Medical care
- Addiction
A number of people from the encampment have already participated and taken advantage of the services offered by the local nonprofits. More events will take place before the relocation deadline. Through conversations with Faith Mission, an Elkhart-based organization that provides services countywide, the nonprofit organization has opened enough beds to provide shelter to those who may be seeking it from Goshen. As of Thursday morning, May 23, none of the campers has taken advantage of Faith Mission’s offer.
About the task force: Mayor Jeremy Stutsman created a task force in April 2019 to find a short-term solution to the growing encampments throughout the city. The group is composed of City staff, three City Council members — Julia King, Jim McKee and Brett Weddell — neighboring residents and businesses owners, as well as representatives from Oaklawn, The Window, Goshen Interfaith Hospitality Network, the Goshen Chamber of Commerce and NIPSCO.