NIMBY alert! A plan to convert an empty, run-down hotel into a shelter for the homeless has some residents in Irvington, Indiana, an Indianapolis neighborhood, practicing their best "not in my backyard" arguments.

The location in question is the Indy East Motel, which was shut down two years ago after being plagued by crime. Its owners have offered to donate it to Good News Ministries, an organization that already runs one rescue mission. The resulting shelter could house 160 people.

Local residents — at least the vocal minority who turned out to a recent public forum — say inviting the homeless in will result in decreased property values. Ahem. Research shows that property values don't drop when the homeless move in. When they're housed, they're not homeless anymore anyway — they're formerly homeless.

Tell the Historic Irvington Community Council to allow the hotel to become a shelter, for the good of the community and their homeless constituents.

Photo credit: Sarah Nichols