INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ New parking meters in downtown Indianapolis are collecting funds to be used to help the homeless.
The Indianapolis Star reports money from the red-and-white parking meters will go to street outreach teams to provide food, services and supplies to an estimated 8,000 homeless people. The new program is run by the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention.
Ten meters have been installed in Indianapolis, with plans to put in 15 more. The meters were donated and installed by ParkIndy, the company contracted by the city to run its parking meters.
Homelessness coalition spokeswoman Jennifer Hunt says officials don't expect much revenue from meters, but that more could come from sponsorships. Seven businesses have bought one-year sponsorships for meters at $2,500 each.
The idea for the Indianapolis parking meters came from Denver, where such collections began in 2007.
