Catholic Charities of Acadiana Statement on Homelessness in Lafayette

Over the last three years, Acadiana has lost over 40% of its available emergency shelter beds for those experiencing homelessness, mainly due to a lack of available operational funding. In the same time frame, the number of those experiencing homelessness has increased by an estimated 28%. Catholic Charities of Acadiana’s emergency sheltering programs have continuously operated at capacity, offering the safety of shelter for 150 children, women, men, and veterans each night.

As a result of there being more people experiencing homelessness than available shelter beds in Lafayette, Catholic Charities of Acadiana has allowed those without shelter to sleep outdoors overnight on their St. John Street campus.

It is no longer feasible for Catholic Charities of Acadiana to continue allowing outdoor overnight sleeping on their property, due to a lack of funding to hire staff and security to ensure the safety of each person on our campus.

Starting Thursday, June 8th, overnight sleeping on the St. John Street campus will be discontinued. Catholic Charities of Acadiana will continue to provide meals seven days a week through St. Joseph Diner, along with essential human services through its various programs relating to hunger and homelessness.

Catholic Charities of Acadiana urgently advocates for an allocation of local, state, and federal funding to be adequately appropriated to addressing the root causes of homelessness, addressing the critical basic needs of Lafayette’s homeless (such as shelter and food), and an investment in evidence-based solutions to transitioning those experiencing homelessness to affordable and stable housing with appropriate community based supports.

Catholic Charities of Acadiana cares for the sacred gift of all human life, especially the most vulnerable. Catholic Charities of Acadiana operates several programs that serve those currently experiencing homelessness, hunger, and poverty in Acadiana. Since 1973, its programs have represented a response to the Gospel call to carry out the corporal works of mercy: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, offering hospitality to the homeless, caring for the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and burying the dead.