Lafayette grappling with issue of homelessness downtown

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Lafayette's imposing federal courthouse looms over the sparsely trafficked Parc Putnam, where a handful of people each day and night make beds out of benches.

A few blocks away at Parc Sans Souci, where weekenders sip mimosas outside a popular brunch spot, vagrants crawl from sleeping bags on the same public stage that hosted a Downtown Alive! act the night before. Lafayette's homeless have become as much a fixture downtown as business professionals, bohemians, late-night barhoppers and inmate workers. But as the number of people sleeping in the streets has grown in recent months, city officials are actively discussing how to deal with them.

In the News, HomelessnessSarah ClementMay 13, 2015Comment

Proud to Have Served

Catholic Services of Acadiana has partnered with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs at St. Michael Center for Veterans, to end veteran homelessness in this region. Since 2010 the nation has seen a 33% reduction in veteran homeless through the use of aggressive outreach, transitional housing, VASH housing, homeless prevention, and rapid rehousing.

Sarah ClementMarch 9, 2015Comment

Restoring Hope

Pope Francis speaks frequently about his concern for the marginalized and encourages us to give more of our attention to their needs. In November 2014, the media once again was buzzing about his newest idea - adding showers to the restrooms in St. Peter’s Square, a suggestion from a homeless man who said that finding food was not as difficult as finding a place to get clean. Many people have rallied around his initiative and called for similar ideas to be implemented in their communities. Catholic Services of Acadiana responded to a similar need in Acadiana three years ago.

Homelessness, Stella Maris CenterSarah ClementMarch 1, 2015Comment

Renewed Focus and Vision

In keeping with an annual tradition, we are reflecting on the successes and challenges of 2014 while improving our focus with a new vision for 2015.

Sarah ClementFebruary 25, 2015Comment

An Uncomfortable Witness

St. Joseph Diner, VolunteeringSarah ClementNovember 6, 2014Comment

3 Myths About Homelessness

Each quarter our staff engages over 100 individuals and assesses their needs to identify who is in critical need of housing. Ending chronic homelessness and significantly reducing someone's experiencing of homelessness will continue to remain a major focus of our work.