(LaPorte, IN) - Emergency measures are now being taken to help residents leave a condemned building in La Porte.  The 46-unit apartment building at 701 Maple Avenue was condemned back in July largely because it was infested in many ways.  Unfortunately, so are many of the people who live there.

 

Cockroaches, fleas, bedbugs, as well as dirt and grime are among the personal problems some residents are facing.  Just to help them get cleaned up, La Porte County Emergency Management is bringing in a portable shower.  Center Township Trustee Lisa Pierzakowski says the shower has been set up at Christ Church in La Porte for whomever needs it. "That way," she says, "we can get everybody showered, into fresh clothing, bring them into the church, give them more clothing, get them to Michigan City to get them COVID tested, and get them into the shelter."

 

Pierzakowski says they are working diligently to find apartments for everyone, but with time running out, shelters may be a last resort.  "We can't force them to go into the shelter.  We can only offer it as secondary housing," she says. "We don't want to see anyone out on the streets homeless."

 

With twenty apartments or more still to be accessed, city officials still aren't exactly sure how many people need to be relocated.  Residents have until Christmas to vacate the apartment building.