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REGULAR MEETING November 13, 2017
<br /> not having a homelessness problem than actually solving the problem, all for the sake of drawing
<br /> in investment and development.
<br /> Otis Jones, 1412 South Carroll Street, South Bend, IN, stated that even at the hospital the
<br /> homeless—including himself—have been told by the police that they cannot use the restroom.
<br /> Mr. Jones stated that he has been told by the police to leave the hospital premises and that they
<br /> warned him that if he returns, he will be arrested.
<br /> David Vanderveen, 432 South Lafayette Boulevard, South Bend, IN, stated that though there are
<br /> easy solutions to the homelessness problem in the short term, the long term solution is permanent
<br /> supportive housing, and it is important not to lose sight of it. Mr. Vanderveen stated that he was
<br /> present for Mr. Rebman's meetings regarding solving homelessness, and also stated that he felt
<br /> that the Mayor's plan gets things about halfway to the goal and is headed in the correct direction.
<br /> He emphasized, though,the need to not lose sight of the long term.
<br /> Rolanda Hughes, 1029 Riverside Drive, South Bend, IN,thanked the City for recent
<br /> appropriations its made, stating that the Gateway Center would be a great asset and that Project
<br /> Fuse already has people in it. Ms. Hughes stated that though the Mayor's vision is good,the
<br /> recent execution of that vision has been problematic. She stated that the reason Code
<br /> Enforcement gave for the destruction of pallets at the encampment was public safety—that they
<br /> prevented easy passage through the right-of-way. Ms. Hughes stated that that was a"red herring"
<br /> and that even if all the pallets were still present, the walkway was wide enough to accommodate
<br /> pedestrians. She stated to the Council that this is not their fault, but it is their responsibility to
<br /> voice concerns to the Administration that the homeless have been treated inhumanely, and this
<br /> issue has been handled poorly. Ms. Hughes pointed to the narrative that the homeless are not
<br /> taking advantage of housing options available to them, stating that this narrative is untrue and
<br /> that there is not enough emergency housing for the homeless in South Bend. Ms. Hughes also
<br /> pointed out that though the Mayor stated that he does not intend to push the homeless away or
<br /> make them feel unwelcome,the communications posted at the encampment calling for vacation
<br /> within forty-eight(48) hours suggest the opposite.
<br /> Michael Clark, 1121 North Olive Street, South Bend, IN, stated throwing millions of dollars at
<br /> homelessness won't solve the problem, as one can only feed those who want to be fed.
<br /> Yatish Joshi, 215 South Hawthorne Drive, South Bend, IN, stated homeless lives matter. Mr.
<br /> Joshi thanked Councilmembers Regina Williams-Preston, Oliver Davis, and Karen White for
<br /> working with community leaders to try to end the dire housing crisis, adding that he believes that
<br /> by working together the residents of South Bend can find a creative solution to this problem.
<br /> Jill Scicchitano, 217 South Michigan Street, South Bend, IN, stated that DTSB has, in 2017,
<br /> spent more time on this issue than ever before. Ms. Scicchitano stated that DTSB supports a
<br /> unified approach and coordinated leadership regarding the next steps of this issue, as well as
<br /> permanent supportive housing. She stated that the issue of panhandling,homelessness, and the
<br /> Opioid Epidemic is a nationwide one (1), and that a unified approach is crucial to dismantling
<br /> this problem over time.
<br /> Allan Klein, 1412 South Carroll Street, South Bend, IN, stated that he is glad that the City is
<br /> doing what it is doing for the homeless, and that South Bend is a beautiful city that will come to
<br /> attract many millions of people to it.
<br /> Virginia Dicken, 2129 South Dorothy Street, South Bend, IN, stated that the values that attracted
<br /> her and her partner to South Bend were not represented by the signs in the downtown area
<br /> against panhandling. Ms. Dicken stated that the solutions that are known to work do not include
<br /> this method. She urged the City to recognize that values of collaboration with and compassion
<br /> for the homeless and all people are some of what drive people to want to live here.
<br /> Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to extend the time allotted for Privilege of the
<br /> Floor. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight
<br /> (8) ayes.
<br /> Clare Ross, 726 Cushing Street, South Bend, IN, stated that the number of homeless people in
<br /> South Bend greatly exceeds the stated number of one-hundred and fifty (150), and that the
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