Homeless Task Force board members announced

Mar. 14—ANDERSON — A month after the Homeless Task Force was created by the Anderson City Council, the members have been appointed.

Last month the Anderson City Council adopted a resolution creating the Homeless Task Force, and on Thursday the 15 members of the board were announced at the council meeting.

The Task Force Board will have a meeting within the next two weeks to start the process of adopting policies and procedures.

"The Task Force board is a broad spectrum of people," Councilman Greg Graham said. "The main key was getting persons or businesses with experience with the homeless population."

He said the next step is to get the Homeless Task Force certified as a nonprofit.

Anderson Mayor Thomas Broderick Jr. has pledged $10,000 for the filing of the necessary paperwork.

"I've done this before," Graham said of his time with the previous Homeless Task Force. "This is a step by step process. There will be lots of highs and lows but we can help a lot of people."

He said the Task Force will work to educate people about the homeless population.

The plan is to have the Task Force board represent the existing shelters in Anderson.

Graham said the Task Force will also consist of people interested in the homeless issue but who would not serve on the board.

"Being homeless is not a crime," he said. "The first issue is what is the Indiana law and what do other cities do to address panhandling."

Tamie Dixon-Tatum, director of the Anderson Human and Civil Rights department, said we're talking about people and need to find ways to help people.

"I want to see people seen and treated as human beings," she said. "We don't want to punish people that are suffering."

Dixon-Tatum said the Task Force should support existing organizations to get them the help they need.

Graham told council members that including city departments can be instrumental in helping the Task Force because of the ability to secure federal and state dollars.

He said homeless veterans in Anderson are at the top of the list of people needing assistance.

"We want to help get people off the street and to move forward with their life," Graham said. "There will be failures, but we're going to do the best we can."

Graham said the city of Anderson should not be in the homeless shelter business.

"The primary purpose of said Task Force shall be to provide leadership in identifying and bringing together the various existing organizations or individuals that presently exist and who provide assistance either directly or indirectly," the resolution reads.

Goals include plan programs and fundraisers to benefit homeless persons; apply for grants; do an annual needs assessment; track best practices in other communities; raise public awareness; and serve as a liaison between city officials and providers and to provide semi-annual written reports.

The Task Force members are Graham; city councilwoman Rachel Landers; Dixon-Tatum; Karen Soetenga with the city Economic Development Department; Lelia Kelley, director of the Community Development Department; Mikeal Vaughn, a Madison County Councilman; Mike Collette, Aspire; Rob Spaulding, Christian Center; Kim Townsend, director of the Anderson Housing Authority; Joey Claus, Anderson First Church of the Nazarene; Marion Teixeira, Anderson Center; Johna Lee, Alternatives; Heather Waymire, Jane Pauley Health; Tamara Strong, community member.

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.