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Indy homeless camp closing, residents forced to find new place to live by end of March

Indy homeless camp closing, residents forced to find new place to live by end of March
Posted at 5:05 PM, Feb 13, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-13 19:33:19-05

INDIANAPOLIS -- Those living in a longtime homeless camp in downtown Indianapolis are being forced to find a new place to live. 

The area often called "The Jungle" is located south of the Indianapolis Zoo on the city's west side. 

CSX owns the property that the camp is located on and said that the growing number of people living in the camp had become a safety concern. 

"It's not safe for anyone to be that close to an active rail line," said Gail Login with CSX Corporate Communications.

CSX is working with city members and local churches to find alternative housing solutions for those living in the camp. 

Those living in on the property will have until the end of March to vacate the property.

CSX released the following statement on Monday:

CSX has been actively working with the city, area churches and social service agencies to assist in transitioning individuals who have been occupying CSX property near an active rail line to safer living situations. Our aim is to continue coordinating efforts and transition people off the property in the spring. Any activity near an active rail line is dangerous and CSX is committed to working with appropriate agencies to resolve the public health and safety challenges created by the current situation.

The number of people who have occupied CSX’s property has grown as have our concerns about health and safety. It recently became apparent to CSX, and the agencies we are coordinating with, that the individuals needed assistance to transition to safer living conditions. 

We are working with local agencies to transition people sometime at the end of March.