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The first stop along the route at St. Joseph St. and Indiana Ave. sparked a conversation <br />regarding the number of vacant lots in the neighborhood. Pastor Taylor expressed that <br />Mount Carmel MBC sees the challenge as an opportunity and has purchased several lots <br />to redevelop pockets adjacent to the church. The church has purchased several vacant <br />lots at the intersection of St. Joseph and Indiana for future redevelopment, and has <br />applied for CDBG grant funds to support the construction of three new - build, affordable <br />homes for purchase at 60 -80% area medium income (AMI). <br />The church is also tying the community master plan into the church's master plans which <br />include a brand new traditional sanctuary which will connect to the current multi -use <br />facility. Mount Carmel MBC intends to remain an anchor in the community. <br />The next stop along tour on Broadway Ave., Pastor Taylor pointed one of the most recent <br />phases of development in the Southeast Neighborhood completed by Rick Milton in the <br />past fifteen years. The homes are a point of pride in the community and good place to <br />continue developing from. 466Works Board Member Charlotte Pfeiffer echoed Pastor <br />Taylor and the achievements of Rick Milton. She expressed the importance of follow <br />through on behalf on the City in regard to southeast neighborhood development as the <br />development work of the past has been very patchwork and slow to progress. <br />The success of the Rick Milton homes segued into a conversation regarding nuisance and <br />safety issues surrounding the large population of homeless persons in the neighborhoods. <br />Given the neighborhoods proximity to several agencies and ministries providing services <br />to the large homeless population (i.e. Gloria Dei, Broadway Church, The Center for <br />Homeless, Life Treatment Centers, and a nearby Plasma Center) the neighborhood <br />experiences several challenges surrounding the homeless population. Pastor Taylor <br />expressed his concern for the safety of local residents and parishioners, as well as, a <br />continued need for service and ministry to the homeless. It's an important balance to <br />strike, he said. <br />Councilmember Regina Williams- Preston added that she's having conversations <br />surrounding the issue of homelessness locally which have enlightened her to other issues; <br />including the fact that homeless persons from surrounding communities migrate to South <br />Bend because we offer so many services to the homeless. She suggest we collaborate <br />with surrounding communities to address the concern on a regional level. <br />Committee Member Karl Nichols argued that churches, development corporations and <br />the City also need to explore expanded housing options and services to the homeless <br />population. The problem, he suggested, is due in part to a recent eviction of large <br />numbers of the homeless population from a nearby tent city settlement. <br />Charlotte Pfeiffer shared a housing model aimed at addressing the challenges of <br />homelessness which allows people seek shelter regardless of the stage of any potential <br />addiction. Most shelters exclude community members in need of shelter that are actively <br />drinking or using narcotics. <br />2 <br />