INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Monday was the last day the Indianapolis city government would allow people who are homeless live in a camp in Fountain Square.

The homeless have had just over two weeks notice to find a new place to live. News 8 first reported on the camp on July 22, and, days later, the city announced it was planning to shut down the site.

As of Monday evening, 14 tents remained along the side of the road on Leonard Street.

Homelessness in Indianapolis is at its highest levels since 2021, when the county reached a 125-year high.

Angela Merrell has lived at the camp with her brother and husband since February. “I’m just so excited about getting out of here. It’s rough living out here. I wouldn’t advise it for anybody.”

With some assistance from a local agency, they’ll finally have a roof over their heads. “Waiting on the keys to our apartment today. This has been a process for the last couple weeks. There was a couple days this weekend everybody was getting frustrated, but I think it’s going pretty smoothy.”

I-Team 8 saw people from the community using flatbed trailers to help people move. Merrill and some others were going to housing, but others were just moving their tents elsewhere. One woman, who did not want to speak with News 8 on camera, angrily said she’s not moving anywhere.

I-Team 8 did not see anyone from the city come to forcibly move people from the camp the late Monday afternoon.

Merrell said, “The way our understanding was yesterday, they weren’t really going to enforce everybody to be out of here today because they do see that people are moving out of here, so I think by tomorrow everybody really does have to have everything gone.”

Statement

“Any activity at the encampment will occur following the posted closure date. Since the notice was posted, service providers and outreach workers have continued to work diligently toward connecting those living in the camp with resources and alternative accommodations they may need. Those efforts will continue throughout the day.”

Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety, on Aug. 11, 2025

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