INDIANAPOLIS — Mayor Joe Hogsett recently announced the appointment of Andrew Merkley as the new director of the Office of Public Health and Safety (OPHS).
Andrew Merkley currently serves as the Administrator for the Division of Homelessness Policy and Eviction Prevention within OPHS. In this role, he leads efforts to address housing insecurity. Under his leadership, the City sheltered its most vulnerable residents during the Covid-19 pandemic, established the Tenant Advocacy Project to provide legal support for tenants facing eviction, and is moving forward with development of the city’s first low-barrier homeless shelter and housing hub.
Andrew has also fostered partnerships across government agencies, nonprofits, and the justice system to collaborate on public health initiatives. These connections include but are not limited to: the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the Corporation for Supportive Housing, Indianapolis Continuum of Care, the Blueprint Council, Horizon House, and Adult and Child. He also serves on the Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Centers Advisory Board and steering committees for both the Housing to Recovery Fund and Healthy Beginnings at Home.