FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) – Indiana lawmakers are discussing a bill that would make it a crime to sleep on public property.

According to 21 Alive News, Fort Wayne currently only has the capacity to give beds to 19% of the homeless population.

Because of the high number of individuals needing shelter and low number of availability at shelters such as Fort Wayne Rescue Mission, many people are left in the cold.

If the proposed law passes, those people could face criminal charges. 

Fort Wayne Rescue Mission’s President and CEO, Thomas McArthur, says he hopes lawmakers focus on expanding shelter services first.