Greater Lafayette leaders endorse restructuring of homeless services

The effort seeks to establish a 24-hour engagement center that would combine homeless services, such as permanent supportive housing, crisis counseling and other support resources.

“We think there needs to be a sense of urgency,” Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski said. “We need to find the best possible way to deliver these services efficiently and effectively for our clients that need those services.”

As the Journal & Courier reported last month, the United Way of Greater Lafayette has received $80,000 in funding from the Indiana Association of United Ways to explore the homeless service models of other cities and find ways to restructure the local one.

Friday’s announcement marked the first public declaration of that intent and signals the widespread support for that idea among local leaders, outside of homeless support providers.

West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis and Tippecanoe County Commissioner Tom Murtaugh also spoke in favor of the move Friday at a press conference attended by more than 20 community leaders.