Declaration of Disaster Emergency – East Chicago

Executive Order

On February 9, 2017, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb issued an Executive Order for Declaration of Disaster Emergency in East Chicago. The area covered by the disaster emergency consists of 322 acres and is bounded by East Chicago Avenue on the north, East 151^st Street on the south, the Indiana Harbor Canal on the west, and Parrish Avenue on the east (map). On March 10, 2017 Governor Holcomb extended his Executive Order for an additional 30 days.

Executive Order 17-13 - February 9, 2017
Executive Order 17-14 - March 10, 2017

As part of the Executive Order, Governor Holcomb ordered the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) to develop this web page to provide status updates, progress reports, and other important information from State, Federal and local partners.

Resident Progress Reports

The West Calumet Housing Complex, located within the affected area, is a public housing complex operated by the East Chicago Housing Authority (ECHA). Due to high levels of lead in the soil, it is no longer safe for residents to live in this complex. To ensure coordination of government resources, and the safe relocation of the remaining residents, weekly phone calls involving local, state and federal officials are conducted.

Provided below are weekly progress reports:

• Resident Progress Report – May 31, 2017
• Resident Progress Report – May 10, 2017
• Resident Progress Report – April 21, 2017
• Resident Progress Report – March 29, 2017
• Resident Progress Report – March 22, 2017
• Resident Progress Report – March 15, 2017
• Resident Progress Report – March 8, 2017
• Resident Progress Report – March 1, 2017
• Resident Progress Report – February 22, 2017
• Resident Progress Report – February 15, 2017

Partners

Below are local, state and federal officials involved in in the Disaster Emergency in East Chicago.

• City of East Chicago
• East Chicago Housing Authority
  • Landlord Open House - March 18, 2017
• Housing Choice Partners (HCP)
  • Samantha Dewberry, (312) 576-0176, sdewberry@hcp-chicago.org 
  • Joanne Harris, (312) 504-4369, jharris@hcp-chicago.org 
• Indiana Family & Social Services Administration (FSSA)
  • The Division of Family Resources is offering assistance to current West Calumet Housing Complex residents in replacing household necessities that were contaminated. These items include: bedding, furniture, and other household items. Click here to view the flyer.
• Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA)
  • Moving Forward 3.0 Program to take place in Lake County - May 11, 2017
  • IHCDA announces $2 million for security and demolition of the West Calumet Housing Complex - March 23, 2017
• Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
  • IDEM announces sampling results for East Chicago's public water system - May 31, 2017
  • East Chicago Sampling Results - May 31, 2017
  • Filter Installation Report - May 2017
  • IDEM to provide water filters for Superfund residents in East Chicago - April 3, 2017
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Water filters for Superfund residents in East Chicago - April 3, 2017
• Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH)
• Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS)
• United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
  • HUD Summary of East Chicago Relocation - March 3, 2017
• United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • USS Lead Superfund Site
  • US EPA, Indiana, East Chicago Officials Issue Joint Statement Pledging Improved Coordination, Communication and Cleanup of USS Lead Superfund Site - May 5, 2017
  • EPA Set to Resume Cleanup at Superfund Site in East Chicago - March 20, 2017
• Senator Joe Donnelly
• Senator Todd Young
• U.S. Congressman Pete Visclosky

For partners, please e-mail communications@ihcda.in.gov to have updates posted to this webpage.

Correspondence

• Response Letter from Governor Eric Holcomb to Mayor Anthony Copeland - March 17, 2017
• Response Letter from Mr. Tim English to Dr. Jerome Adams - March 8, 2017
• Letter to Mr. Scott Pruitt from Governor Eric Holcomb - March 7, 2017
• Letter to Dr. Ben Carson from Governor Eric Holcomb - March 6, 2017
• Letter to Dr. Ben Carson and The Honorable Scott Pruitt from Senator Donnelly, Young and Visclosky - March 2, 2017
• Letter to Mr. Tim English from Dr. Jerome Adams - February 22, 2017

Events

The East Chicago Housing Authority (ECHA) hosted a Landlord Open-House for the Section 8 West Calumet Residents on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at the Community Center (4925 Gladiola Street, East Chicago, Indiana) from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. The ECHA urges all Section 8 landlords to participate and meet with West Calumet residents and share with them what apartments/houses that are available.

• Click here to access the flyer for residents.
• Click here to access the flyer for landlords.

Proposed Legislation

There are multiple pieces of proposed legislation at the state and federal levels to provide additional support to those affected. For updates on these bills please visit:

• Click here to track state legislation.
  • Holcomb Visits Northwest Indiana to Ceremonially Sign Two Region-Focused Bills - May 18, 2017
  • Gov. Holcomb Signs Bill to Continue Assistance for Lead-Contaminated Areas in East Chicago - April 21, 2017
• Click here to track federal legislation.