A low-barrier, emergency winter shelter is set to open tonight for people experiencing homelessness in Bloomington.

Reverend Forrest Gilmore, executive director of Beacon Inc., announced the opening of Beacon’s Winter Shelter in an interview with WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty on Monday.

“It was prompted by urgency,” said Gilmore.

The low-barrier shelter will open inside the Warehouse across from Switchyard Park on the south side of Bloomington. Gilmore talked about how he hopes to fill the demand of housing for community members experiencing homelessness.

“We have 49 beds inside and that’s the highest we can go to be in compliance with fire codes,” he said.

The new winter shelter opens after the City of Bloomington issued two evictions of people experiencing homelessness at Seminary Park - despite CDC guidelines on homeless encampments which make clear that encampments should be allowed to stay up, so long as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues.

The latest eviction by the city came one week before students returned to Indiana University for their second semester.

Last Thursday, members of the public were invited to express their concerns about Seminary Park during a City Council Public Safety Committee meeting.

Council member Jim Sims noted that the committee did not invite Mayor Hamilton to the meeting. Council member Isabel Piedmont Smith expressed disappointment - saying that she thought it was important that the mayor hear from the public.

WFHB Assistant News Director Sydney Foreman reported on that meeting earlier this week. WFHB Correspondent Alex Dederer read that report.

Public Outraged at City Council Public Safety Committee Meeting

The Bloomington City Council Public Safety Committee held a discussion on the unhoused population in Bloomington during their January 14th meeting. Community member Tassy Gniady spoke about Wheeler Mission.

Bloomington Homeless Coalition member Mark Teller stated Seminary Park residents have chosen to stay in the park. He said the location provides comfort.

City Resident Timothy Clark said the city’s homeless evictions do not keep the community safe. Community member Tyler Burkabile mentioned his experience with Wheeler Mission.

Homeless Coalition member Heather Lake explained her involvement bringing encampment residents warm drinks in the morning. She expressed concern for the residents’ safety.

Resident Kay Goodman stated the homeless population is in crisis. Council member Isabel Piedmont-Smith mentioned a meeting would be held on January 25th to discuss long term hopelessness solutions.

Thursday Evening at Seminary Park

At least 12 police officers were at Seminary Park at 3 p.m. on Thursday.

Under police watch, contractors from Centerstone and Wheeler Mission removed campers’ belongings. Camp residents and supporters collaborated to move as much as possible to new camping locations. Some campers chose to move their tents off an easement into the center of the park in the hope that they would be able to stay.

Campers were ultimately evicted a few minutes before 11 p.m. as members of the parks department loaded tents and belongings onto trucks with flatbed trailers. According to reporting by Dave Askins of the B-Square Beacon, “Officers and parks staff got an earful from around two dozen activists as they remove...